The impact of university students’ hope levels for mitigating climate change on their climate change anxiety: Evidence from Turkey

Climate change has emerged as a global challenge with significant impacts on individuals' mental and emotional well-being. Among young people, particularly students in health-related fields, climate-related anxiety-commonly referred to as 'eco-anxiety' is becoming increasingly prevalent. Understanding the relationship between healthcare students' climate anxiety and their levels of hope for mitigating climate change is essential for guiding educational strategies and fostering sustainable healthcare practices. This study aimed to examine the influence of healthcare students' hope on their climate change anxiety. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted among students enrolled in five programs (Physiotherapy, Geriatric Care, First and Emergency Aid, Medical Laboratory Techniques, and Operating Room Services) within the School of Health Services at a state university, comprising a total population of 1027 students. The sample size was calculated using the G*Power program and the minimum required sample was determined as 194 students. In total, data were collected from 501 students. Data were gathered through face-to-face interviews using the Personal Information Form, the Climate Change Hope Scale (CCHS), and the Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS). The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 24 statistical software package. The students exhibited high levels of climate change worry (mean CCWS score = 34.49 ± 6.64) and high levels of hope for preventing climate change (mean CCHS score = 28.75 ± 7.43). The participating healthcare students exhibited high levels of both hope and worry regarding climate change, suggesting that climate change worry may function as a factor that fosters hope among young individuals.