Climate Change Awareness, Eco-Anxiety, and Anger among Yemeni Medical Students.

Asmaa Taha Ali  Al-Taheri; Hebah Yassin  Abduljabar Alsbiea; Tharwa Ghaleb  Hassan Al-Barkani; Manal Ali Ahmed  Mohammed; Futoun Mohsen  Alkhulagi

doi:10.18502/ijps.v20i4.19688

Asmaa Taha Ali Al-Taheri Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Taiz University, Yemen.
Hebah Yassin Abduljabar Alsbiea Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Taiz University, Yemen.
Tharwa Ghaleb Hassan Al-Barkani Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Taiz University, Yemen.
Manal Ali Ahmed Mohammed Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Taiz University, Yemen.
Futoun Mohsen Alkhulagi Nursing Department, Vision College, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v20i4.19688

Keywords: Anxiety; Climate Change; Environmental Psychology; Medical Students; Mental Health

Abstract

Objective: Climate change is increasingly recognized as a global health threat. However, awareness and psychological responses to climate risks may vary across populations, particularly in conflict-affected regions. This study aimed to assess the levels of climate change awareness, climate anxiety, and aggression among Yemeni medical students.

Method: A descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized for this study. The sample included 212 final-year students from all departments within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Taiz University. Data were collected using validated scales for climate change awareness, the Climate Anxiety Scale, and the Buss–Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons (t-tests and ANOVA), correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression were applied to identify significant relationships and predictors.

Results: More than 60% of the participants demonstrated poor awareness of climate change, and over 50% reported low levels of climate anxiety. Moderate aggression scores were observed in more than half of the respondents. While aggression showed significant associations with sex and climate anxiety, no statistically significant relationship was found between climate change awareness and anxiety.

Conclusion: Despite the environmental vulnerability of Yemen, medical students show limited awareness and low psychological response to climate change. This may reflect a focus on immediate survival needs in conflict-affected settings. Integrating climate-health education and psychological preparedness into medical curricula is essential to empower future healthcare providers in addressing climate-related health challenges.