DEVELOPMENT OF CLIMATE ANXIETY INVENTORY IN WATER SCARCE COMMUNITIES

Abstract

Climate anxiety has emerged as a psychological issue of concern in some communities affected by severe environmental challenges, especially in areas suffering from chronic water scarcity. However, there are no climate psychological distress assessment tools specifically designed for these populations with enduring psychometric verification. The objective of this study was to develop and validate the Climate Anxiety Inventory (CAI), a 15-item questionnaire designed to measure stress subcomponents specific to water insecurity, eco-grief, and disruption of livelihoods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in four drought-stricken districts with a sample of 420 participants. Subsequently, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess construct validity. The CAI showed strong internal reliability (α = 0.80–0.86) as well as acceptable fit indices (CFI = 0.951, RMSEA = 0.046) for the measurement model. Convergent and discriminant validity were attained. The CAI offers a contextually relevant and scientifically rigorous quantification of climate anxiety, which can be used by researchers and policymakers to examine and respond to the psychosocial ramifications of water scarcity in fragile populations.