Vystopia: Development and validation of a measure of vegan-related distress

Identifying specific emotional stressors is a valuable tool for addressing mental health problems. Vegans often experience emotional strain due to heightened exposure to the suffering of animals, a phenomenon termed "vystopia." Given the rising rates of veganism in the West, this is likely to be an increasingly salient concern. However, there are no validated measures to assess vystopia. In this study, we developed and validated an 8-item Vystopia Scale in a sample of 997 vegan participants. The model fit a single factor, had high internal consistency values (α = .93, ω = .94), and converged well with several measures of negative affect and concerns about animal rights. Strict measurement invariance was established across genders (men and women), and women reported significantly higher levels of vystopia compared to men. The Vystopia Scale offers a valuable tool for further research on vystopia and its impact on the well-being of vegans.