Exploring the relationship between nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes towards climate change and their psychological distress: a cross-national investigation

• DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-01927-8
• Publication Date: 2024-04-29T08:02:26Z
• Authors: Ali D. Abousoliman; Ateya Megahed Ibr...; Hasan Abualruz; Hussein M. Magdi; Donia Elsaid Fath...; Ahmed Alhowimel; Ahmed Hashem El-M...; Heba E. El-Gazar; Mohamed A. Zoromba
• Keywords: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis; RT1-120; Clinical psychology; Health Professions; Psychological distress; Nursing research; Nursing; FOS: Health sciences; Psychological Resilience; Health Sciences; FOS: Mathematics; Climate change; Psychology; Salutogenesis and Sense of Coherence in Health; Biology; Ecology; Research; Distress; Statistics; Impact of Climate Change on Human Health; Medical Student Distress; FOS: Psychology; Descriptive statistics; Knowledge; Impact of Burnout on Healthcare Professionals and Students; Attitudes; FOS: Biological sciences; Environmental Science; Physical Sciences; General Health Professions; Medicine; Nursing students; Mathematics

Abstract Background Climate change poses a worldwide challenge with anticipated exacerbation in the future, resulting irreversible consequences. Nursing students may be vulnerable to experiencing psychological effects associated climate change. Aim The current study aimed investigate relationship between nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward their distress. Method This descriptive cross-sectional recruited 377 from three universities located Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt Middle East. Data collection was conducted using scales for assessing towards Correlations were assessed multiple regression analysis explore predictors of Results showed that regarding significantly positively correlated attitude ( r = 0.213), then again, score distress negatively − 0.182 0.110 respectively). Regression analyses academic achievement had strongest positive impact on distress, while negative impacts β 0.381, =-0.205, =-0.045 Moreover, found significant collectively accounting 18.2% observed variance. Conclusions/Implication future practice findings highlight importance incorporating into education programs. By enhancing change, there is potential reduce underscores need curriculum reforms integrate topics, aiming foster well-informed resilient workforce.