Validation of the Pro-Environmental Behaviour (PEB) Scale in Malaysia: assessing cross-age and gender invariance

An accurate measurement of pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) plays an important role in research across various fields such as sustainability studies, environmental studies, and policy development. To date, there is lack of validated measurement to assess PEB among Malaysians. The objective of the present study is to investigate the validity and reliability of the Pro-Environmental Behaviour (PEB) Scale in Malaysia. Besides, the measurement invariance across age and gender were investigated. A total of 719 participants (mean age = 32.81, SD = 13.48) aged between 18 and 65 years were recruited via convenience sampling from social media. They completed an online questionnaire consisting of the PEB Scale, New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) Scale, and GREEN Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that PEB Scale is a two-factor model with all 11 items retained. The two factors represent public and private PEB constructs. Additionally, results showed that PEB Scale has a good criterion validity with NEP Scale and good convergent validity with GREEN Scale. The PEB Scale also showed acceptable and good internal consistency. Measurement invariance results (configural, metric, scalar and residual) showed acceptable fit across emerging adults (18–29 years old) and older adults (30–65 years old), as well as genders (male vs. female), indicating a multiple group CFA was appropriate. In conclusion, the findings showed that the PEB Scale is a valid and reliable tool to measure PEB among Malaysians. In the future, the PEB Scale can be used in environmental research and policy development that involves emerging and older adults in Malaysia.