Development and Validation of the Dust Exposure Reduction Behavior Scale

This study was conducted to develop the Dust Exposure Reduction Behavior Scale (DERBS) and to validate it for the general population. The scale was developed based on Williamson’s model of everyday life information seeking. For exploratory factor analysis and confirmative factor analysis, 274 subjects aged 18 or older were recruited in South Korea using convenience sampling between February 1 and March 28, 2021. Content validity, convergence validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency reliability were examined according to DeVellis’ methodology. The DERBS consists of 12 items with four factors: protection from dust, staying inside, sharing information, and health promotion. Convergent validity with the personal environmental health behaviors scale was supported ( r = .63, p < .001), and Cronbach’s alpha was .83. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit (χ 2 = 106.36, p < .001, Q = 2.22, SRMR = 0.06, RMSEA = 0.06, IFI = 0.94, GFI = 0.94, AGFI = 0.97, NFI = 0.90, CFI = 0.94, PNFI = 0.66, PCFI = 0.69). The DERBS is a valid and reliable scale for measuring dust reduction behaviors under circumstances of indoor and outdoor air pollution. This scale can be utilized in educational interventions aiming to enhance environmental health behavior and promote respiratory health outcomes. This DERBS will be able to objectively measure outcomes in investigations of health behavior under circumstances where air pollution is serious and interventions are needed to target environmental health behaviors. It will also contribute to the promotion of environmental health behaviors related to the reduction of fine dust exposure among community residents.