After Kaplan & Kaplan (1983) proposed restorative environment theory, the researchers have developed varies measures for the four components of restorative environments. In 1991, Hartig and colleagues published the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS). The PRS used coherence to replace extent item. Later, Hartig continually conducted a series of studies in order to develop the PRS. Overall, these studies yielded a two-factors model result: a General Restorativeness Factor(includes being away, fascination, and compatibility)and a Coherence Factor. Korpela et al. (1996、2001) after found a similar factor structure with favorite and unpleasant places. Korpela suggested that further improvements using alternative item combinations and analytic strategies should be needed to refine the PRS.
Laumann et al. subsequently developed of a measure of the five restorative components with 22 items in 2001. Laumann split Being Away items into two factors: a physical being away, novelty (e.g., I am in a different place than usual) and a psychological being away, escape (e.g., I am away from my daily obligations). This empirical finding is in keeping with Kaplan and Kaplan’s original definitions of Being Away referring to either physical or psychological aspects.
However, it is interesting that since Laumann’s RCS provide a reliable measure of the 4 restorative components of nature and city environments, why the scale is not popularly used? There are so many measure tools to measure the restorative environments, how do we choose the scale to apply in our studies?
Additionally, about the translation problems, I think that Lanumann made a good example. The RCS questionnaires were first translated from Norwegian into English by one individual, then translated back by another individual. Maybe we can employ this approach to modify our Chinese questionnaires. Thus, we can diminish a misunderstanding between the English and Chinese translations.