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Sustainability Consciousness, Green Advocacy, and Work Grit Among Nurses: Implications for Environmentally Sustainable Healthcare and Public Health

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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, an international, peer-reviewed Open Access journal.

Summary

This study examines the psychological and behavioral drivers of environmental sustainability within healthcare settings, specifically focusing on nurses in Egypt. The research finds that sustainability consciousness and psychological resilience (work grit) are significant predictors of green advocacy behaviors. While focused on climate and environmental sustainability, the article does not address artificial intelligence, frontier capabilities, or AI-related catastrophic risks. Its findings are limited to public health and environmental management rather than AI safety or governance frameworks.

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17 pages, 769 KB   Open AccessArticle Sustainability Consciousness, Green Advocacy, and Work Grit Among Nurses: Implications for Environmentally Sustainable Healthcare and Public Health by Eman Kamel Hossny, Noura Alsayed Esmeil, Hanan Sayed Younes, Eman Ramadan Abdalfadeel, Ahmed Zinhom Elkady, Hammad S. Alotaibi and Somia Mohamed Abdel Aziz Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(4), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23040523 - 17 Apr 2026 Abstract Background: Healthcare systems contribute significantly to environmental pollution, energy consumption, and resource depletion, making sustainability an increasingly important environmental and public health priority. Nurses, as frontline healthcare professionals, play a critical role in promoting environmentally responsible practices and advocating for sustainable healthcare within [...] Read more. Background: Healthcare systems contribute significantly to environmental pollution, energy consumption, and resource depletion, making sustainability an increasingly important environmental and public health priority. Nurses, as frontline healthcare professionals, play a critical role in promoting environmentally responsible practices and advocating for sustainable healthcare within clinical settings. Objective: The study aimed to examine the associations between nurses’ sustainability consciousness, green advocacy, and work grit in hospital settings. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 377 nurses working in two university-affiliated hospitals in Egypt. Data were collected using validated instruments assessing sustainability consciousness, green advocacy, and work grit. Descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize participant characteristics and study variables. Associations among sustainability consciousness, green advocacy, and work grit were examined using Pearson correlation analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify significant predictors of green advocacy, while noting that the study design allows for identification of associations rather than causal relationships. Results: The findings indicated generally high levels of sustainability consciousness among nurses. Significant positive associations were observed between sustainability consciousness, green advocacy, and work grit (p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis identified sustainability consciousness and work grit as significant predictors of green advocacy, explaining 34.2% of its variance. Conclusions: These findings highlight the interconnected roles of sustainability awareness, advocacy behaviors, and psychological resilience in promoting environmentally sustainable healthcare practices. Strengthening nurses’ sustainability consciousness and work grit may enhance green advocacy and contribute to the development of sustainable healthcare systems, supporting global environmental and public health goals aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Full article