cc_byNeurohr, Anna-LenaPasch, NadineOtto, SiegmarMöller, Andrea2024-09-032024-09-032023https://hohpublica.uni-hohenheim.de/handle/123456789/16249https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1186557Studies indicate that young people are more prepared to engage in pro-environmental behavior if they are interested in nature and recognize it as worthy of protection. However, a reliable instrument to measure adolescents’ interest in nature is still lacking. Therefore, we developed a new metric, the Scale of Interest in Nature (SIN). It consists of 18 items, is based on Item-Response-Theory and was validated using the known group approach (N = 351 adolescents). Results indicate that adolescents’ interest in nature correlates positively with their connection with nature, their intention to preserve nature and engagement in pro-environmental activities in their free time. Bivariate Pearson correlations between the SIN and the Connectedness to Nature Scale (INS), as well as the Environmental Values model (2-MEV) demonstrated the scale’s construct validity. Hence, the SIN scale provides an economical way to measure adolescents’ interest in nature in research contexts or environmental and sustainability education settings.engInterest in natureAttitude measurementsEnvironmental attitudesAdolescent attitudesConnection with natureItem response theory150Article