Assess Climate Change Anxiety among Undergraduate Nursing Students at College of Nursing Female Mirpurkhas, Sindh

Abstract

Background: Climate change anxiety is increasingly recognized as an emerging mental health concern among young adults and students, particularly in environmentally vulnerable settings where climate-related disasters are common. Nursing students may be especially affected because of their awareness of health consequences associated with environmental change. Objective: To assess climate change-related anxiety among undergraduate nursing students at the College of Nursing Female Mirpurkhas, Sindh. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 undergraduate nursing students selected through non-probability convenience sampling from a total population of 250 students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the 13-item Climate Change Anxiety Scale, which evaluates cognitive-emotional impairment and functional impairment. Responses were analyzed in SPSS version 24 using descriptive statistics, and internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Results: Most participants were younger than 25 years (92.1%), unmarried (88.8%), and from middle-income households (92.1%). The mean score for cognitive-emotional impairment was 2.58 ± 1.17, while the mean score for functional impairment was 2.76 ± 1.23, indicating a moderate level of climate change anxiety overall. The highest mean item score was observed for difficulty enjoying time with family or friends because of climate concerns (2.89 ± 1.26), whereas the lowest was observed for crying because of climate change (2.18 ± 1.18). Conclusion: Undergraduate nursing students demonstrated a moderate level of climate change anxiety, with relatively greater impact on functional aspects of daily life than on overt emotional expression. These findings support the need for contextually appropriate educational and psychosocial support strategies within nursing institutions