Environmental values and education in Spanish universities: a questionnaire validation

Abstract

Purpose

To protect the environment and society, research on responsible behavior and personal values has increased. Values have been identified as important for understanding and predicting environmental preservation behaviors. The purpose of this study is to analyze the validity and reliability of the Environmental Portrait Value Questionnaire in the Spanish context.

Design/methodology/approach

The new version of this questionnaire was administered to 742 university students (46.4% male and 53.6% female) from 16 regions in Spain.

Findings

The results of adapting and testing the instrument’s psychometric properties were consistent with accepted criteria for validity and reliability. Therefore, this updated and contextualized instrument has the potential to contribute to academic advances in the sense of expanding the empirical practice of studying environmental values. Fifteen items from the original version were retained, grouped into four factors as in the original version: Altruistic – five items; Egoistic – four items; Biospheric – three items; and Hedonic – three items. The final version showed adequate fit indices and reliability measures.

Originality/value

This instrument is a powerful resource for the Spanish academic community because using this application it will be possible to assess the degree of commitment of young adults to the goals of sustainability and environmental protection.

Citation

Margaça, C., Sánchez-García, J.C., Hernández Sánchez, B. and Mangas, S.L. (2024), "Environmental values and education in Spanish universities: a questionnaire validation", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 161-181. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-02-2023-0037