Measuring children’s environmental attitudes and values in northwest Mexico: validating a modified version of measures to test the Model of Ecological Values (2-MEV)

Abstract

This paper describes the validation process of measuring children’s attitudes and values toward the environment within a Mexican sample. We applied the Model of Ecological Values (2-MEV), which has been shown to be valid and reliable in 20 countries, including one Spanish speaking culture. Items were initially modified to fit the regional dialect, culture, and bioregional context of our Mexican population. In Stage 1, we applied the scale to quantify the environmental attitudinal and value impacts of an environmental service learning program with 22 children in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Program effects were evaluated using a pre-test/post-test design quantifying preservation and utilization views of the environment. Based upon further cultural insights and the results from Stage 1, in Stage 2, we modified two more items to reflect the culture of philanthropy and associational life in Mexico. To test the structure of this finalized instrument, we applied the model in Stage 2 with a group of 335 children. We successfully extracted the already known factor structure covering the two higher order values of preservation and utilization. In general, the underlying primary attitudes were also confirmed, with the exception of two neighboring ones: Care with Resources and Intent of Support, which merged into one.

Keywords:

• environmental values
• environmental attitudes
• Model of Ecological Values
• Mexico
• experiential environmental education
• measurement

Notes

1. The children from Ciudad Insurgentes and Puerto San Carlos (used in the CFA) are not included within the treatment and control groups mentioned in the previous paragraph.