Women's mental health and climate change Part II: Socioeconomic stresses of climate change and eco-anxiety for women and their children

Climate change news and doomscrolling: An examination of influencing factors and psychological effects

INTRODUCTION

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to human life, and news about it can significantly impact mental health. Furthermore, doomscrolling, that is habitual negative consumption, may further exacerbate these effects. Understanding the associated risks and protective factors is crucial for supporting the most affected groups. However, no research has examined the relationship between doomscrolling and climate change news.

METHOD

We employed a cross-sectional design to investigate the relationship between general doomscrolling and climate change-specific doomscrolling in a sample of 365 participants. Furthermore, we examined the influence of demographic factors, risk factors (anxiety and depression), and protective factors (social support and coping skills) on both types of doomscrolling.

RESULTS

Analyses of the final sample revealed a significant positive correlation between general doomscrolling and climate change-specific doomscrolling. Additionally, the study suggests a gender difference, with females exhibiting a greater propensity for doomscrolling behavior. Risk factors for doomscrolling were explored, with both anxiety and depressive symptoms demonstrating positive associations. Depression correlated positively with doomscrolling for females, and it displayed a negative correlation for males. Anxiety consistently demonstrated a positive association with general and climate change-specific doomscrolling. Social support did not significantly protect against either form of doomscrolling. Conversely, the study identified coping skills as a potential protective factor, albeit with a modest effect size.

CONCLUSION

Given climate change's continued prominence within the news cycle, developing effective coping mechanisms becomes increasingly crucial. This study underscores the importance of designing interventions that empower individuals to navigate the negativity inherent in news consumption.

Climate Change Stress Among Adolescents In California: Associations With Psychological Distress, Suicide Ideation, and Social and Demographic Factors

PURPOSE

Extreme weather events related to climate change have negative impacts on mental health. Less is known about how the awareness of climate change, known as climate change stress, impacts adolescent mental health. This study explores the association between climate change stress and psychological distress and suicide ideation among adolescents in California and factors associated with climate change stress.

METHODS

This study uses cross-sectional data from the 2021 and 2022 California Health Interview Survey adolescent data set. All analyses used California Health Interview Survey weights to be representative of the statewide population. Pearson's Chi-squared tests and 2-sample t-tests were used to explore differences between adolescents reporting climate change stress or not. Binary logistic regressions were used to explore the association between climate stress and psychological distress and suicide ideation.

RESULTS

38.1 percent of California's adolescents report climate change stress. Adolescents who report this stress are more likely to be female, gender nonconforming, White, from higher-income families, have adverse childhood experiences, frequently use social media, be involved in their community, and feel civic efficacy. Climate change stress is associated with 2.395 times greater odds of psychological distress in the past month and 1.853 times greater odds of suicide ideation in the past year.

DISCUSSION

Climate change stress is common for adolescents in California and associated with psychological distress and suicide ideation. This is an emerging topic that needs more focus. Researchers, policymakers, and mental health experts can work together to address the impacts of climate change on the mental well-being of adolescents.

Coming to terms with climate change: a glossary for climate change impacts on mental health and well-being

Climate change is a major threat to global health. Its effects on physical health are increasingly recognised, but mental health impacts have received less attention. The mental health effects of climate change can be direct (resulting from personal exposure to acute and chronic climatic changes), indirect (via the impact on various socioeconomic, political and environmental determinants of mental health) and overarching (via knowledge, education and awareness of climate change). These impacts are unequally distributed according to long-standing structural inequities which are exacerbated by climate change. We outline key concepts and pathways through which climate change may affect mental health and explore the responses to climate change at different levels, from emotions to politics, to highlight the need for multilevel action. We provide a broad reference to help guide researchers, practitioners and policy-makers in the use and understanding of different terms in this rapidly growing interdisciplinary field.

Is Ecological Anxiety Due to Climate Change Associated With the Fertility Preferences of Women?

BACKGROUND

Eco-anxiety caused by climate change, which is a significant public health problem, has negative effects on sexual and reproductive health, and these effects are expected to increase continuously. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between eco-anxiety caused by climate change and the fertility preferences of women.

METHODS

This descriptive study was conducted between June and August 2024 with 491 women at the ages of 18 to 49 who were registered at a family health center. A personal information form, the Attitudes toward Fertility and Childbearing Scale, and the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale were used to collect data.

RESULTS

The mean total AFCS score of the participants was 66.1 ± 14.2, while their mean total HEAS score was 27.1 ± 7.0. There was a weak negative correlation between the AFCS scores and HEAS scores of the participants (r = -0.124, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

As the ecological anxiety levels of women increased, their attitudes toward childbearing became more negative.

The connection between climate change and perinatal mental health

Climate change and extreme weather events are particularly concerning for pregnant and postpartum women and have been related to negative birth outcomes. However, the impact of climate change on perinatal mental health outcomes is not well studied. Mood and anxiety disorders are among the leading comorbidities during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and they are associated with significant familial and societal burdens. It is crucial to include environmental factors in the risk profile of perinatal mental illness to optimize prevention and early intervention strategies. In the clinical experience of one of the authors, new mothers can feel particularly concerned about their baby's physical health when faced with extreme heat or may present as agitated due to heat-related sleep deprivation. This is in line with qualitative research showing maternal worrying about a baby's thermal dysregulation as one of the emerging themes. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, clinicians have a role in advocating for climate adaptation in healthcare settings. Climate inequalities need to be addressed alongside health and social inequalities.

Climate change and gendered vulnerability: A systematic review of women's health

BACKGROUND

Climate change is an urgent global threat, with women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) disproportionately facing adverse health outcomes. Gendered roles, combined with socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors, exacerbate women's vulnerabilities, increasing the burden of mental health issues, water insecurity, sanitation challenges, and caregiving responsibilities.

OBJECTIVES

This review seeks to systematically examine the intersection between climate change and gendered health vulnerabilities, with a particular focus on women. It explores how climate change intensifies gender-specific risks and identifies pathways for integrating gender-responsive policies to mitigate both short- and long-term health impacts.

DESIGN

Following Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework, this systematic review mapped key concepts and evidence from studies conducted between January 2011 and January 2024. The review focuses on identifying the multifaceted health impacts of climate change on women, particularly in LMICs and marginalized communities.

DATA SOURCES AND METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science and Scopus databases using key terms and Medical Subject Headings related to climate change, women's health, gender inequality, mental health, water security, sanitation, and caregiving burdens. Studies were screened and selected based on relevance to the predefined criteria, with data extracted on study design, key findings, and limitations.

RESULTS

From 2163 citations screened, 61 studies were included in the final analysis. The review highlights that climate change disproportionately affects women, exacerbating pre-existing gender inequalities. Specific impacts include heightened mental health challenges, adverse maternal and newborn health outcomes, increased water insecurity, and an intensified caregiving burden. Women in LMICs are particularly vulnerable due to reduced access to resources, healthcare, and decision-making platforms, further limiting their adaptive capacities.

CONCLUSION

The findings underscore the critical need for gender-responsive climate policies that address both immediate health impacts and the broader socioeconomic and environmental determinants affecting women. Effective climate adaptation strategies must integrate gender perspectives, ensuring that women's specific vulnerabilities are accounted for in policy frameworks. This review advocates for the empowerment of women through increased access to resources and decision-making, thus enhancing their resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of climate change.

Climate-Related Emergencies in Pregnancy

Climate change affects human health broadly and is leading to poor population health outcomes in a number of areas. Among pregnant people specifically, it can contribute to greater risk of health complications. Certain populations are more likely to be exposed to the adverse environmental impacts of climate change, which further amplifies existing health inequities in the United States, including in maternal health. Nurses who work in emergent, acute, and critical care settings must be prepared to care for individuals who are pregnant and experiencing medical emergencies as a result of exposure to extreme heat, air pollution, natural disasters, and infectious diseases that are direct consequences of climate change. To this end, nurses must be ready to recognize, treat, and manage pregnancy complications arising from climate-related conditions, as well as provide patient education on future mitigation strategies and advocacy to reduce its harms.

Changes in exposure to environmental contaminants in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria among pregnant women in northern Puerto Rico

Experiencing a hurricane during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of adverse birth outcomes and poor mental health. Pregnant people from marginalized communities are more susceptible to adverse effects, as they have fewer resources to overcome hardships at a time when shelter and nutrition are essential. When Hurricane Maria (HM) devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017, the archipelago was already burdened with high poverty, health disparities, environmental contamination, and fragile utility infrastructure. We aimed to compare biomarkers of environmental exposures among pregnant participants in the PROTECT cohort before and after HM and to identify hurricane-related sources of exposure. Metals, PAHs, phthalate metabolites, and phenols were measured in urine samples collected from participants at three prenatal visits (2011-2019). Samples were categorized as before, <3 months, 3-6 months, and >6 months after HM. Using linear mixed effects models, we found that in the 6 months after HM, participants had higher Co, Ni, and DEHPTP concentrations, indicating increased exposure, and lower concentrations of PAHs, several metals, and phthalates, suggesting decreased exposure, compared to pre-HM levels. Biomarkers were not associated with potential exposure sources assessed through questionnaire or previously measured tap water contaminants. This study provides insight into how extreme weather events may alter environmental exposures among pregnant people in Puerto Rico. As climate change has increased the frequency and magnitude of such events, additional research is needed to clarify the implications for maternal and child health and to identify sources of related environmental exposures within this vulnerable population.

The impact of climate change anxiety on premenstrual syndrome: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Climate change is thought to have possible effects on changes in the menstruation process, which covers an important period of time in women's lives. Our study aimed to determine the impact of climate change anxiety on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women of reproductive age.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study. The research was conducted online using various digital platforms between December 2023 and February 2024. This study was conducted on 456 women of reproductive age. The Personal Information Form, PMS Scale and Eco-Anxiety Scale were used for the data collection. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PMS was 44.7%. The average score for the Eco-Anxiety Scale was 27.28 ± 6.44. A significant majority of participants (81.4%) stated that climate change would affect women's health, and 81.1% thought that they were affected by climate change. The Eco-Anxiety Scale scores were higher in women with PMS (p < 0.05). The results of the binary logistic regression analysis showed that being affected by climate change (odds ratio [OR] = 2.109, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.045-4.259, p = 0.035), age at menarche (OR = 1.249, 95% Cl = 1.073-1.453, p = 0.004) and Eco-Anxiety Scale scores were significant predictors of PMS (OR = 0.828, 95% Cl = 0.791-0.867, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results of our study showed that women with PMS had higher Eco-Anxiety Scale scores. Given the global effects of climate change, it is important to investigate its effects as a risk factor for the emergence of PMS. Furthermore, women's healthcare providers play an important and beneficial role in adapting to a changing climate; these efforts will have long-term impacts.

Gender Inequities in the Impact of Climate Change on Health: A Scoping Review

In the 21st century, climate change has emerged as a critical global public health challenge. Women experience the most severe impacts of climate change, intensifying pre-existing gender inequalities. This scoping review aims to explore the intersection of climate change, health, and gender, considering the social determinants of health. The methods for this review follow the Arksey and O'Malley framework for a scoping review and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The review, covering January 2019 to February 2024, included PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO databases. We identified 71 studies with 19 meeting the inclusion criteria. The results revealed the differential effects of climate change on health according to gender in areas such as mental health, reproductive health, gender-based violence, occupational health, and health issues associated with heat and air pollution. Our findings also elucidated how socio-economic and gender inequities intersect, exacerbating the risk of experiencing these effects. In conclusion, the study highlights a clear need for gender-sensitive climate policies and interventions to address these disparities and protect vulnerable populations from the health impacts of climate change.

Climate change and women's mental health in two vulnerable communities of Bangladesh: An ethnographic study

Climate change is one of the most significant challenges humanity faces in the 21st century, with its health impacts being profoundly felt in the most vulnerable countries. However, the mental health impacts of climate change, particularly concerning social inequality and gender dynamics, are less documented in the Global South. This paper focuses on the impact of climate change on women's mental health in two vulnerable communities in Bangladesh. This study employed qualitative methods, including, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs). The communities were selected based on their vulnerability to climate change. A total of 80 participants were selected using snowball sampling, and 55 interviews and 6 FGDs were conducted. Women are particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts on mental health due to their gender roles and responsibilities. Responsible for taking care of their families, they have to face additional challenges due to climate change impacts, such as increased workload, food insecurity, and social insecurity when their husband migrates to the cities for jobs. Women also face social and cultural barriers, which exacerbate their vulnerability to climate change impacts on mental health. Socioeconomic and environmental determinants appear to be embedded and lead to psychological suffering in relation to social roles and gender norms. Interventions should be designed to address the specific needs and challenges faced by women in these communities. Policymakers should take a gender-sensitive approach to address the mental health impacts of climate change in these communities. This study contributes to the growing body of research on the gendered impacts of climate change with a trajectory approach and provides insights for future research in this area.

Climate and environmental changes exacerbate health disparities in pregnant people and their offspring. How can we protect women and their babies?

BACKGROUND

The effects of climate and environmental changes (CEC) are being felt globally and will worsen over the next decade unless significant changes are made on a global level. Climate change is having serious consequences for health, particularly for vulnerable women and their offspring and less resilient individuals in communities with socioeconomic inequalities. To protect human health from CEC effects, efforts need to be directed toward building resilience strategies. Building political and economic power, as well as directly addressing CEC-related challenges, are critical components of climate resilience. Effective communication and tailored methods to engage women in preventive strategies are also necessary to ameliorate the deleterious effects of CEC on women's health. Furthermore, women from marginalized communities face more CEC-associated challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, effective policies and programs targeting these at-risk populations-are crucial to improve the overall state of global health. In closing, it is time to increase awareness of the effects of CECs on women's health and their transgenerational effects in order to ensure that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, education and income are protected from the detrimental effects of CECs.

Mental health impacts of climate change and extreme weather events on mothers

Background: The perinatal period is a time of increased vulnerability for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Emotional trauma is a risk factor for PMAD development and is common among survivors of extreme weather events (EWEs), which are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate crisis progresses. EWE-related stress and anxiety have not been extensively studied in the perinatal population. However, the limited available data suggest a negative impact of EWE exposure on perinatal mental health, warranting further investigation and investment.Objective: To address this knowledge gap, we interviewed new Australian mothers to understand how EWEs affect the mental health of the perinatal population.Method: Australian mothers (18 years of age or older) with a baby under 12 months of age were recruited to participate in a single virtual focus group session (seven group sessions were run in total) and complete an anonymous survey. Participants were asked questions regarding their concerns about extreme weather and its impact, as well as their general maternal functioning. Maternal functioning, depression, and climate distress were measured via the survey.Results: The study sample comprised 31 Australian mothers (Mage = 31.74, SD = 4.86), predominantly located in Queensland. Findings from the focus groups suggested six key themes; however, of focus to this study are three themes related to maternal mental health: health and well-being, helplessness and avoidant coping, and resilience and adaptation. Predominant subthemes focused on trauma resulting from EWE exposure, economic and heat concerns, social isolation, hopelessness about the future, and feelings of resilience.Conclusions: The evidence linking adverse perinatal mental health outcomes with climate change and EWEs highlights the urgent need for interventions in this context to protect perinatal mental health and well-being. By acknowledging the traumatic impact of these experiences on mothers, this study supports advocacy for policies that specifically address this issue.

High temperatures on mental health: Recognizing the association and the need for proactive strategies-A perspective

Background and Aims

The influence of temperature on various aspects of daily life is often underestimated, and its effects on mental health are not widely recognized. Understanding and addressing the relationship between temperature and mental well-being is crucial in the context of climate change and rising global temperatures. This perspective aimed to investigate the effects of high temperatures on mental health and identify proactive strategies to mitigate these effects.

Methods

This perspective adopted a twofold approach, including a comprehensive literature review and socioecological framework. The literature review involved extensive searches across Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus to identify relevant, peer-reviewed articles, and reports from diverse disciplines.

Results

The perspective emphasized the significance of recognizing heat stress and its consequences on mental well-being. Chronic heat stress can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Vulnerable populations include, the very young, older adults, and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. Socioeconomic factors can further exacerbate vulnerability, highlighting the need for tailored strategies to manage mental health challenges during high temperatures. Additionally, the article identified and discussed proactive coping strategies to minimize both the psychological and physical impacts of heat stress. Mindfulness, stress management techniques, and therapy are suggested as effective means for individuals to manage psychological distress.

Conclusion

Implementing preventive measures are essential steps in promoting mental wellness in high temperatures. Proactive strategies by addressing the physiological and psychological effects of heat and considering the specific needs of vulnerable populations can help individuals and communities navigate the challenges posed by rising temperatures and promote resilience and preserve their mental well-being.