Development and preliminary validation of a fertility concept scale for Chinese post-00s college students based on...

China faces an increasingly acute risk of entering a "low-fertility trap," and existing policy incentives have not produced the expected effects, underscoring the need to examine the micro-level psychological processes underlying fertility decision-making. Analyzing the fertility concepts of the post-00s generation is critical for predicting fertility behavior and informing targeted policies; however, suitable measurement tools remain lacking.

Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Network Theory, a mixed-methods approach combining collection of publicly available online data, thematic analysis, cognitive interviews, and quantitative research was employed to develop a fertility concept scale tailored to Chinese post-00s college students. Data were collected through a pilot survey and a formal survey. Scale properties were evaluated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, internal consistency testing, test-retest reliability, random split-half cross-validation, bootstrap analysis, and measurement invariance testing.

The final scale comprised 29 items across seven dimensions. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated good model fit (RMSEA = 0.059, CFI = 0.934, TLI = 0.925, SRMR = 0.051), with satisfactory internal consistency for each dimension (Cronbach's α > 0.8) and good test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.75). Random split-half testing and bootstrap analysis supported cross-sample stability, and the scale demonstrated measurement invariance across gender (ΔCFI ≤ 0.01, ΔRMSEA < 0.015).

This scale has preliminarily demonstrated good reliability and validity, complementing existing instruments in terms of dimensional completeness, population applicability, and cultural adaptability. Its development process also offers methodological guidance for scale construction targeting internet-active populations and sociopsychological constructs characterized by strong intergenerational variation. After further testing of the scale's external validity and cross-sample stability, this instrument can be utilized for dynamically monitoring the fertility concepts among post-00s college students and the exploration of the mechanisms underlying the formation of their fertility intentions.