Development and validation of the Climate Change Anxiety Scale-Short Form

Objective: this study aimed to provide preliminary validity evidence for an 8-item short form of the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS-SF) in a sample of Italian emerging adults. Specifically, it tested the factor structure, measurement invariance across sex, and construct validity of the CCAS-SF. Method: the study involved 891 Italian emerging adults (32.40% male; Mage = 23.00, SD = 2.50; age range: 19–29 years). The researchers conducted a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to evaluate the factor structure of the CCAS-SF. Measurement invariance across sex was tested through configural, metric, and scalar invariance. Internal consistency of the subscales was assessed, and correlations with anxiety and depression symptoms were examined to assess construct validity. Results: the CFA supported a two-factor structure for the CCAS-SF, cognitive-emotional and functional impairment. Measurement invariance was confirmed across sex (configural, metric, and scalar invariance). The internal consistency of both subscales was good. Analysis revealed that females had higher levels of cognitive-emotional impairment compared to males, but there were no significant sex differences in functional impairment. Both subscales showed positive correlations with anxiety and depression symptoms. Conclusions: the Italian CCAS-SF is a brief, valid, and reliable tool for assessing climate change anxiety. It is particularly useful for time-constrained research and as a resource for mental health professionals working with emerging adults. Key words: climate change anxiety, depression, emerging adults, general anxiety disorder, measurement invariance, psychometric properties