Rural College Students’ Eco-anxiety and Attitude toward Discussing Environmental Sustainability Topics Post-pandemic

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examines Southwestern U.S. college students’ potential experiencing of eco-anxiety, application of green practices, and attitude toward discussing environmental sustainability issues in the classroom post-pandemic, examining the population by sex, race, age, and income. The study offers faculty recommendations for implementing a sustainability curriculum. Conducted in a rural, marginalized area, it used survey and short-answer questions, an exploratory case-study design, and a convergent parallel strategy, assessing 376 participants (188 women, 188 men), including racial minority and low SES students. The survey adapted questions from four scales: Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale, Pandemic-related Political Identities Scale, Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire, and Sustainable University Scale. Data was analyzed using independent samples t-tests and a grounded theory approach for short-answer comments. Women reported statistically significantly higher eco-anxiety levels than men. Native Americans also reported statistically significantly higher eco-anxiety levels than Caucasians, with other minority groups also showing greater rates.