The relationship between climate change anxiety and depression and insomnia in adolescents

Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between climate change anxiety and depression and insomnia in adolescents. Method: This research was conducted in secondary schools affiliated with the Provincial Directorate of National Education in Turkey, from March 1 to June 1, 2024, using a cross-sectional and analytical design. The study included adolescents aged 14-17 who did not have communication problems, psychiatric diagnoses, or were not on medication, and who volunteered to participate. Data were collected face-to-face by the researcher in classrooms of students who signed parental consent forms, taking approximately 10-15 min. Post-hoc power analysis indicated that using a sample size of 833 with a 5 % error rate and an effect size of 0.15 resulted in a power of 99.9 %. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis, with statistical significance set at p values <= 0.05. Results: It was found that 39.6% of adolescents experienced severe depression, while 25.9% did not experience depression. An increase in climate change anxiety was identified as being associated with higher levels of depression and insomnia in adolescents. Conclusions: In light of the study's limitations, the findings regarding the impact of climate change on depression and insomnia may help nurses develop more effective methods in adolescent care and also contribute valuable insights to the existing literature, laying a foundation for future research.