An Exploration of the Relationship Between Social Work Students’ Awareness of Environmental Ethics and Their Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Environmental Problems

Abstract

In a changing global environment, sustaining social work as a profession necessitates comprehensive education and heightened awareness of ecocentric perspectives and environmental ethics. Based on this information, the study aims to explore the relationship between social work students’ environmental ethics awareness and their attitudes and behaviors regarding environmental issues. The study was conducted utilizing the general and relational survey model, a quantitative research methodology; the data collection was performed with an interview form consisting of the Personal Information Form, Environmental Ethics Awareness Scale, Attitude Toward Environmental Problems Scale, and Behavior Toward Environmental Problems Scale. The study comprised 461 students selected from 10 different universities offering undergraduate social work education in Türkiye, employing the purposive sampling technique. The data collected from the participants was analyzed using SPSS software. The study findings reveal that the environmental ethics awareness and attitudes of social work students toward environmental problems positively impact their behaviors regarding environmental problems. In this context, heightened environmental ethics awareness and positive attitudes toward environmental problems among students correlate with increased engagement in actions addressing environmental issues. These findings emphasize the need for future studies to assess the effectiveness of environmental education curricula and conduct evidence-based quasi-experimental group interventions.