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Measurement of Connectedness with Nature: Evidence of Validity and Reliability for Use in Colombian Urban and Rural Sustainability Contexts

Author

Listed:
  • Willian Sierra-Barón

    (Sintropia Research Group, Surcolombiana University, Neiva 410003, Colombia)

  • Andrés Gómez-Acosta

    (Department of Psychology, University of Pamplona, Pamplona 543050, Colombia)

  • María Delfina Luna-Krauletz

    (Instituto de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad de Sierra Juárez, Oaxaca 68725, Mexico)

  • Sergio Falla-Tapias

    (Program of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Related Sciences, Corporación Universitaria del Huila (Corhuila), Neiva 410003, Colombia)

  • Erika Judith López-Santamaria

    (Sintropia Research Group, Surcolombiana University, Neiva 410003, Colombia)

Abstract

The growing disconnection between humans and nature—particularly in urban environments—has been associated with declining well-being and lower engagement in pro-environmental behavior. Although the Connectedness with Nature Scale (CNS) has been widely used internationally to measure this relationship, there is a lack of evidence on its validity and reliability in Latin American contexts, especially in urban and rural settings. This study aims to address this gap by examining the psychometric properties of the CNS in a sample of 956 Colombian participants. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, we tested two versions of the scale (14-item and 12-item models), both showing good fit and high internal consistency (α > 0.90). Convergent validity was confirmed through strong correlations with the Environmental Identity and Pro-environmental Behavior Scales. These findings support the CNS as a valid and reliable tool to assess the human–nature connection in Colombia and highlight its potential for informing urban sustainability initiatives, environmental education, and public policy in diverse sociocultural contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Willian Sierra-Barón & Andrés Gómez-Acosta & María Delfina Luna-Krauletz & Sergio Falla-Tapias & Erika Judith López-Santamaria, 2025. "Measurement of Connectedness with Nature: Evidence of Validity and Reliability for Use in Colombian Urban and Rural Sustainability Contexts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(8), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:8:p:1185-:d:1712387
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John Zelenski & Sara Warber & Jake M. Robinson & Alan C. Logan & Susan L. Prescott, 2023. "Nature Connection: Providing a Pathway from Personal to Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-23, March.
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    3. Willian Sierra-Barón & Pablo Olivos-Jara & Andrés Gómez-Acosta & Oscar Navarro, 2023. "Environmental Identity, Connectedness with Nature, and Well-Being as Predictors of Pro-Environmental Behavior, and Their Comparison between Inhabitants of Rural and Urban Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Matthias Winfried Kleespies & Tina Braun & Paul Wilhelm Dierkes & Volker Wenzel, 2021. "Measuring Connection to Nature—A Illustrated Extension of the Inclusion of Nature in Self Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Miles Richardson & Anne Hunt & Joe Hinds & Rachel Bragg & Dean Fido & Dominic Petronzi & Lea Barbett & Theodore Clitherow & Matthew White, 2019. "A Measure of Nature Connectedness for Children and Adults: Validation, Performance, and Insights," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, June.
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