Title: General ecological behaviour: validation for Portugal

Authors: Maria Miguel Vicente; Ana Carla Seabra Torres Pires; Paula Saraiva Carvalho; Paulo Joaquim Fonseca da Silva Farinha Rodrigues; Jorge Eduardo de Lima Vaqueiro; Carla Sofia Lucas do Nascimento

Addresses: Departamento Psicologia e Educação, Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal ' Department of Psychology and Education, University of Beira Interior, Portugal; RISE-Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, Covilhã, Portugal ' RISE-Health, Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal ' RISE-Health, Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Beira Interior, Estrada do Sineiro S/n, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal ' Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 – Aveiro, Portugal ' RISE-Health, Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Beira Interior, Estrada do Sineiro S/n, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal

Abstract: This study validates the general ecological behaviour (GEB) scale for the Portuguese population, addressing a gap in tools to assess pro-environmental behaviours essential for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). Ecological behaviour, shaped by cultural values concerning ecosystem preservation, requires reliable assessment to support evidence-based policies and interventions. A sample of 522 adults from Portugal completed the adapted GEB scale and related assessments, including the environmental attitudes inventory (EAI-24), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and social desirability scale (EDS-20). Results indicate that part A of the GEB scale is a reliable measure for the Portuguese context, while part B lacks sufficient internal consistency. Additionally, a weak positive correlation between the GEB and the EAI-24 highlights the complementary nature of ecological behaviour and attitudes. These findings validate the GEBs use for assessing ecological behaviour in Portugal, enabling data-driven approaches to environmental policy and contributing to climate crisis mitigation and sustainable behaviour promotion.

Keywords: general ecological behaviour; GEB; validation study; pro-environmental behaviours.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2025.151254

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2025 Vol.20 No.1, pp.57 - 75

Received: 03 Nov 2024
Accepted: 06 May 2025
Published online: 19 Jan 2026 *

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