Climate Change Concern, Preventive Hope, and Disaster Literacy: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Climate change poses serious risks to public health and psychosocial well-being. Understanding the emotional and cognitive factors associated with climate-related behaviors is essential for developing effective public health and nursing interventions.

The study aimed to determine adults' levels of climate change concern, hope for prevention, and disaster literacy, and to examine the relationships among these variables.

This descriptive correlational study was conducted with 615 adults selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Climate Change Worry Scale, the Climate Change Hope Scale, and the Disaster Literacy Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed.

Participants reported moderate levels of concern, hope, and disaster literacy. Positive but weak correlations were found among the three variables (r ≈ 0.23-0.35, p < 0.01). Hope for prevention (β = 0.30, p < 0.001) and climate change worry (β = 0.13, p = 0.001) were positively associated with disaster literacy in multiple linear regression analysis. The model explained 13.1% of the variance in disaster literacy.

Relationships among climate change concern, hope for prevention, and disaster literacy were statistically significant but weak. Enhancing public knowledge in this area may positively influence individuals' perceptions and emotional responses to climate change.

Public health nurses familiar with community contexts should take an active role in raising awareness about disaster preparedness and climate-related risks. Community education initiatives should address disaster literacy alongside climate change worry and hope for prevention, and their effects should be evaluated in future intervention studies.