Development and validation of self-efficacy and intention measures for spending time in nature

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the reliability and validity of self-efficacy and intentions measures for time spent in nature (TSN). TSN is related to improvement in psychological well-being and health, yet most American adults spend very little time in such settings. Theory-based interventions have been effective in increasing physical activity, a related behavior, and may be one mechanism to increase TSN. Self-efficacy and intentions have been shown to be strong predictors of health behaviors and are used across several theories. However, scales to measure these factors have not yet been developed and are needed to facilitate effective interventions. Methods TSN self-efficacy and intentions scales were developed using a sequential nine-step procedure: identification of the domain and item generation; content validity; pre-testing of questions; sampling and survey administration; item reduction; extraction of factors; tests of dimensionality; tests of reliability; and tests of validity. The 14-member multidisciplinary, researcher and practitioner investigative team generated 50 unique items for self-efficacy and 24 unique items for intentions. After subjecting items to content validity and pre-testing, item sets were reduced to 21 assessing self-efficacy and nine assessing intentions. A nationwide sample of 2109 adult participants (49.7% female, Mean Age = 58.1; 59.8% White, 18.4% Hispanic, 13.3% Black) answered these items via an on-line survey. Results Using split-half measures, principal components analysis indicated a one-factor solution for both scales. The factor structure was upheld in confirmatory factor analyses and had high internal consistency (α = .93 self-efficacy; .91 intentions). The scales were moderately correlated with each other (r = .56, p < .001) and were strongly related to TSN with large effect sizes (eta2 > .20). Conclusions The study resulted in reliable and valid self-efficacy (14 items) and intentions (8 items) scales that can be used to develop future theory-based interventions to increase TSN and thereby improve population health.

Associations Between Social Cognitive Determinants and Movement-Related Behaviors in Studies Using Ecological Momentary Assessment Methods: Systematic Review

“…This systematic review suggests that positive associations exist among intentions, self-efficacy, and PA at the day level. It is not surprising that intentions and self-efficacy, which are prominent constructs posited to directly influence behavior within social cognitive frameworks [ 70 , 71 ], emerged as consistent and positive predictors of PA at the day level in this systematic review. However, articles that reported on studies investigating associations among intentions, self-efficacy, and PA at the momentary level (6/24, 25% and 6/24, 25%, respectively) revealed mixed findings.…”

“Nature Environments Without Actually Being There”: Virtual Recreation Experiences and Real-World Intentions

“…The pre-test survey was administered to both the participant (n = 32) and comparison (n = 26) groups in January of 2023 with the second instrument administered in April of 2023. This survey instrument included the self-efficacy and intentions measures for time spent in nature (TSN) scales (Maddock et al, 2022) as well as questions related to participant demographics and open-ended comments about their experience. Paired t-tests were conducted using the 8-item intention to spend time in nature scale and 14-item self-efficacy for spending time in nature scale (Maddock et al, 2022).…”

“…This survey instrument included the self-efficacy and intentions measures for time spent in nature (TSN) scales (Maddock et al, 2022) as well as questions related to participant demographics and open-ended comments about their experience. Paired t-tests were conducted using the 8-item intention to spend time in nature scale and 14-item self-efficacy for spending time in nature scale (Maddock et al, 2022). Intention to spend time in nature stayed consistent across the treatment period for both groups, with the comparison group showing a slight decrease in intention to spend time in nature while the participant group experienced a slight increase, with both changes statistically insignificant (p > .05).…”

“…The purpose of this study was to investigate whether virtual reality nature experiences influence intent and self-efficacy to recreate in nature among college students. The research questions guiding the study are: (a) Do virtual reality nature experiences influence participant intent and self-efficacy to engage in nature-based recreation as measured with the self-efficacy and intention measures for spending time in nature scales (Maddock et al, 2022)? (b) How do college students experience nature in virtual reality?…”

Positive Behavior Values to Improve Student Self-Efficacy: A Case Study in Islamic Boarding Schools

“…Interviews were conducted directly with the headmaster and headmistress through indirect interview questionnaires with a Google Forms. The contents of the interview guide were adapted from the GSE (General Self-Efficacy) questionnaire developed by Maddock et al [16] through which the present research is to assess time spent in the boarding school, as well as using the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) instrument as suggested by Wangid et al [17] in which the interview guidelines were adjusted to students' self-efficacy in Islamic boarding schools includes questions what are student problems that reduce self-efficacy? What is the role of Kiai and Nyai in helping students increase self-efficacy?…”