Assessing the Unidimensionality of Clayton’s Environmental Identity Scale Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (bifactor-ESEM)

A relevant intrapersonal characteristic for understanding intentions and behavior toward environmental sustainability is the degree to which nature important a person’s self-definition. Clayton’s Environmental Identity (EID) scale purports measure this construct. However, limited number of prior exploratory studies have supported different factor structures. Hence, our initial aim was develop an dimensionality 24-item EID by testing competing latent structures using confirmatory analysis. We analyzed self-reported data from 458 adults (Mage = 26.7 years; 81% female). Four priori models (a first-order model, second-order unidimensional bifactor model) did not show satisfactory fit data. An ancillary analysis structural equation modeling (bifactor-ESEM) indicated model with three specific factors had good The loadings values indices (Omega Hierarchical Explained Common Variance [ECV]) single mean score across all items taps into essentially construct therefore appropriate interpret. In sum, study provides critical insight that will be valuable when applying research intervention purposes.