Y.H. Lee, Sun Joo Jang, Haeyoung Lee
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of climate change anxiety and environmental sustainability attitudes on pro-environmental behaviors among nursing students. As the core workforce of future nursing, nursing students must adapt to various nursing environments affected by climate change and be empowered to address its risks and impacts. They can play a crucial role in contributing to a healthy environment by enhancing their capacity to respond to climate change and practicing pro-environmental behaviors. METHODS: Data were collected from April 15 to 22, 2024, through an online survey distributed to junior and senior nursing students with clinical experience. Responses from 334 participants were analyzed using multiple regression analysis to examine the relationships between climate change anxiety, environmental sustainability attitudes, and pro-environmental behaviors. RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis revealed environmental sustainability attitudes, and academic year (in decreasing order of effect size) to be significant predictors of pro-environmental behaviors. The regression model explained 16% of the variance in pro-environmental behaviors. CONCLUSION: Higher environmental sustainability attitudes were associated with increased pro-environmental behaviors. To promote such behaviors among nursing students, interventions aimed at strengthening environmental sustainability attitudes, while also considering the potential role of climate change anxiety, may be beneficial.