Climate Change Worry and Environmental Sensitivity Among Nursing Students.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Nursing Education
• Psychology

Background:

• Climate change poses significant risks to public health.
• Nursing students' perceptions of climate change are crucial for future public health roles.
• Understanding the link between climate anxiety and environmental awareness is vital.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between nursing students' worry about climate change and their environmental sensitivity.
• To explore factors influencing nursing students' engagement with environmental health issues.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 432 nursing students.
• Data collected using the Climate Change Worry Scale and Environmental Sensitivity Scale.
• Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, ANOVA, and multiple regression.

Main Results:

• Nursing students' mean score on the Climate Change Worry Scale was 30.74 ± 6.92.
• The mean score on the Environmental Sensitivity Scale was 4.24 ± 0.44.
• A significant moderate negative correlation (r = -0.694, p < 0.01) was found between climate change worry and environmental sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• A moderate negative correlation exists between climate change worry and environmental sensitivity in nursing students.
• Interventions to reduce climate change anxiety and boost environmental sensitivity are recommended.
• This can empower nursing students to actively contribute to public health protection in their careers.