Assessing Climate Emotions in Kenya — Student Perspectives and Responses

The climate crisis presents profound mental health challenges for students, who are navigating key developmental stages amid heightened concerns about their future and increasing academic demands. While climate-related emotions have been widely studied in Western contexts, there is a notable lack of comprehensive research focusing on student populations in Africa. This study addresses this gap by investigating the spectrum of climate emotions among students in Kenya. Employing a cross-sectional online survey, we will recruit 195 nursing students from the Nairobi Hospital Nursing School to complete the Inventory of Climate Emotions (ICE), which assesses a broad range of emotional responses—including anxiety, anger, guilt, sorrow, powerlessness, isolation, enthusiasm, and contempt—associated with climate change. Quantitative data will be analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis, regression models, and principal component analysis to explore the prevalence, structure, and predictors of climate emotions. Additionally, qualitative data will be gathered through open-ended survey questions, allowing for thematic analysis of students’ personal experiences with climate change and climate education. By integrating quantitative and qualitative findings, this study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the emotional landscape shaped by climate change among students in Kenya.