Aims: This study aims to identify the impact of climate change anxiety and asthma control on asthmatics' quality of life and examine the moderating role of climate change anxiety in this linkage.
Method: A multi-national cross-sectional study was conducted in four Arabian countries on 1266 asthmatics selected by convenience sampling. Data were collected from November 2023 to February 2024 using a climate anxiety scale, mini-asthma quality of life questionnaire, and an asthma control questionnaire.
Results: Climate anxiety was higher among middle-aged participants, as well as those with longer disease durations and previous hospitalisations. Climate anxiety showed strong negative correlations with asthma control (r = -0.704, p ≤ 0.05) and asthma quality of life (r = - 0.638, p ≤ 0.05). Climate anxiety and asthma control are powerful predictors of quality of life among asthmatics. Climate anxiety moderates the relationship between asthma control and quality of life, making it less positive (B = -0.094, p > 0.001). Covariates such as gender, age, comorbidities, employment status, disease duration, and previous hospitalisation showed significant associations with asthma quality of life.
Implications for nursing practice: Assessment and mitigation of climate anxiety among asthmatics is a key strategy for controlling asthma and improving the quality of life. So, nurses must incorporate climate anxiety assessment into the care plan for asthmatics.
Impact: Climate change is a global concern, and insights into how climate-related psychological stressors exacerbate asthma symptoms and overall health outcomes are necessary. The findings provide actionable data for healthcare professionals to underscore the need for integrated healthcare approaches considering environmental and psychological factors.
Reporting method: This study adheres to strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) statement.
Patient or public contribution: Clients with asthma across multiple nationalities actively contributed to our paper.
Keywords: asthma; climate anxiety; climate change; control; quality of life.
© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.