The Environmental Health Engagement Profile: What People Think and Do About Environmental Health
Jane K. Dixon
Professor, Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.
Search for more papers by this authorKarrie C. Hendrickson
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.
Search for more papers by this authorElizabeth Ercolano
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.
Search for more papers by this authorRobi Quackenbush
Certified Nurse-midwife, Women's Healthcare Associates, Portland, Oregon.
Search for more papers by this authorJohn P. Dixon
Board of Directors, New Haven Green Fund, New Haven, Connecticut
Search for more papers by this authorJane K. Dixon
Professor, Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.
Search for more papers by this authorKarrie C. Hendrickson
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.
Search for more papers by this authorElizabeth Ercolano
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut.
Search for more papers by this authorRobi Quackenbush
Certified Nurse-midwife, Women's Healthcare Associates, Portland, Oregon.
Search for more papers by this authorJohn P. Dixon
Board of Directors, New Haven Green Fund, New Haven, Connecticut
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
ABSTRACT Objectives: To develop and validate the Environmental Health Engagement Profile (EHEP)—an instrument for assessing the way people engage with environmental health issues, including people's experience of environmental health hazards, the assumptions concerning the risks involved, and the actions taken either individually or collectively in their communities.
Design and Sample: This instrument development study was conducted in an urban area with varying levels of health-related environmental concerns. First, qualitative interviews with 41 residents informed development of items. Next, the items were evaluated by 28 expert reviewers. Finally, validity was assessed from responses of 433 residents who completed the instrument and other measures by telephone interview.
Measures: For assessing validity of EHEP, data were also collected concerning demographic characteristics, social involvements, goodness of life, and self-ratings of health.
Results: Through factor analysis, 5 subscales were identified—named Pollution Sensitivity Scale (α=.91), Pollution-Causes-Illness Scale (α=.84), Pollution Acceptance Scale (α=.67), Community Environment Action Scale (α=.79), and Personal Environmental Action Scale (α=.63). Patterns of correlations of these scales with age, and measures of odor sensitivity, social involvement, and goodness of life provided evidence of construct validity.
Conclusions: These results provide beginning evidence for the reliability and validity of the EHEP. Thus, public health nurses and others may use this instrument to assess people's concerns about environmental health, and resulting actions—and to support strategies for advising people and communities on protecting their health.
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