Religiosity and Environmental Stewardship : Psychometric Validation of the CRS-5 and Links to Sustainability

Abstract

This study evaluated the psychometric properties and structural validity of the five-item Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRS-5) in a sample of Filipino university students. It examined implications for ecological attitudes and sustainability engagement. Descriptive statistics and CFA results indicated that CRS-5 is a brief, acceptable measure of centrality of religiosity. Private Practice and Religious Experience showed the strongest relations with the CRS-5 total, highlighting private devotion and experiential spirituality. Regarding the theoretical and empirical links between religiosity and environmental concern, we discuss how dimensions captured by the CRS-5 can support pro-environmental values, collective stewardship, and sustainable behaviors – particularly in societies where religion shapes community norms. The study recommends integrating religious institutions and experiential spirituality into ecological education and sustainability interventions on university campuses. Limitations and directions for research on measurement invariance and the CRS-5’s predictive validity for environmental outcomes are noted. Future research should explore longitudinal designs and cross-cultural comparisons to clarify causal pathways linking religiosity and sustainability engagement. Examining how faith-based narratives influence environmental decision-making may further strengthen strategies that harness moral motivation and community solidarity for global ecological responsibility and behavioral change.