An Integrated Measure of Sustainability Attitudes

Context: Efforts to understand sustainability behavior have developed significantly over the past few decades. To date, this research has primarily focused on directly observable behaviors (e.g., littering, recycling, and energy use). However, a more theoretical understanding of sustainability behavior needs to include its unobservable or latent antecedents. Problem: As a result, valid and reliable measures of these latent constructs are required to build a theoretical foundation for the development of relevant sustainability social science. We discuss the need for such a targeted, attitudinal measure, given its connection to observable behavior. Objective: We aimed to develop such a measure through a series of studies. Results: We present an 11-item measure of a general sustainability attitude that includes ecological, economic, and social elements. We conclude with a discussion of the utility of the Sustainability Attitude Scale.