Development and validation of a climate change version of the man-made disaster-related distress scale (CC-MMDS)

Abstract

Introduction: Climate change, considered as a pressing man-made disaster, poses a fundamental threat to global health, with significant psychological consequences. However, measurement instruments assessing these consequences of climate change remain limited. This study aimed to address this gap by developing and validating an adapted version of the Man-Made Disaster-Related Distress Scale (MMDS), specifically designed for the assessment of indirect climate change-related psychological consequences. Materials and Methods: The items of the MMDS were adapted to climate change. The resulting “Climate Change – Man-Made Disaster-Related Distress Scale” (CC-MMDS), comprising 16 items, was validated in an online-based survey in Germany. Initially, 1070 participants were engaged in the survey. Results: The data of n = 715 participants was used for analysis. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a two-factor structure, encompassing “psychological distress” and “change of existing belief systems”, with acceptable to good model fit. The CC-MMDS demonstrated excellent reliability and good validity, with measurement invariance across gender, age, and educational level. Discussion: This study validated the CC-MMDS, confirming a two-factor structure. The scale demonstrated strong measurement properties, making it a promising standardized instrument for assessing climate change-related distress. Conclusion: With its strong psychometric properties and efficient administration, the CC-MMDS offers valuable insights for research and can aid mental health providers in identifying and supporting individuals impacted by climate change.

Keywords

• Climate change
• Man-made disasters
• Psychological distress
• Scale construction
• Validation