Abstract
Background Environmental destruction is one of the most important problems in this century. Objective The aim of the study was to determine the environmental attitudes and perceived risks associated with environmental factors of the students. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 7 faculties of Mersin University. The research data were collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, the “Environmental Attitudes Scale,” and the “Environmental Risk Perception Scale.” 774 students who filled out questionnaires were evaluated. Results The sample included 55.8% females. Environmental Attitudes Scale mean scores of students were identified as 81.1 ± 11.3. The highest perceived risk was release of radioactive materials associated with nuclear power generation. The environmental attitudes and risk perception scores were higher in Health Sciences than in the other faculties. Females were more positive towards the environment and had higher risk perceptions than the men. There is a negative correlation between age and resource depletion risk and global environmental risk score. Conclusion Students had a positive attitude to the environment and had moderate-level risk perception about the environment. Environmental awareness of students, especially those studying in the Social Sciences, should be increased. The environmental education curriculum should be revised throughout all the courses.
Highlights
In the past 50 years, people have become more aware of the problems originating from the interaction between humans and the environment
The answer to the question “Why some people perceive some hazards more risky than others?” involves many factors associated with risk perception including age, gender, educational status, income, scientific education, religious beliefs, political views, cultural background, personal experience with hazards, values, social confidence, anxiety, self-reliability, general beliefs, environmental beliefs, and personal viewpoints, all of which may have an influence over risk perception
Since the maximum score that can be achieved in the scale is 105, our students had a positive attitude towards the environment
Summary
In the past 50 years, people have become more aware of the problems originating from the interaction between humans and the environment In this regard, governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), international institutions, and individuals are encouraged to show enthusiasm towards environmental protection and development [1, 2]. The behavior of individuals follows a course parallel to the attitude and risk perception towards the environment. Attitude is comprised of three components: cognitive (knowledge and beliefs), affective (emotional response), and behavioral (past and present behavioral response) These three components are associated with risk perception [4]. The aim of the study was to determine the environmental attitudes and perceived risks associated with environmental factors of the students. The environmental attitudes and risk perception scores were higher in Health Sciences than in the other faculties. The environmental education curriculum should be revised throughout all the courses
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