The association between exposure to climate change events and aggression among university students: A cross-sectional study

Background

Climate change has been linked to increased psychological distress, aggression, and violence. This study aimed to assess the association between reported climate-related event exposure and aggressiveness among university students.

Methods

The study, a cross-sectional research design, utilized the Climate Change Anxiety Scale, Brief Aggression Questionnaire, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. The relationship between scores and reported climate-related event exposure was investigated using frequencies, percentages, and multivariate analysis.

Results

1338 students were recruited. Survey results showed that 23.5% of students who reported climate-related event exposure exhibited aggression, 35.3% were angry, 27.7% were verbally aggressive, 30.1% were hostile, and 24.3% were physically aggressive. Multivariate analysis showed that the probability of reporting exposure to a climate-related event was higher among females, those with low academic performance (AOR: 2.22, p-value < 0.001), and those with a negative mood (AOR: 2.94, p-value < 0.001). Cognitive-emotional climate anxiety was associated with decreased reporting of climate-related event exposure (AOR: 0.37, p-value = 0.005). Participants with scores in the range of increased risk for serious mental illnesses were twice as likely to report a climate-related event exposure (AOR: 2.13, p-value < 0.001). Moderate and high anger were associated with decreased reporting of exposure to climate-related events.

Conclusion

Climate-related event exposure is associated with increased aggression among undergraduate students. Furthermore, climate-related event exposure is more frequently reported among women, those with lower academic achievement, negative moods, and potential serious mental illnesses. Participants with moderate to high anger and cognitive-emotional climate anxiety are less likely to report climate-related event exposure. To reduce aggression associated with climate event exposure, universities should consider providing psychological and counseling services, as well as climate-related event exposure and stress adaptation strategies.