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

Abstract

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 (M_age = 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.

Keywords: Perinatal mental health; extreme weather events; climate change Australian mothers; perinatal mood and anxiety disorders; Salud mental perinatal; cambio climático; eventos climáticos extremos; madres australianas.

Figure 1.

Major themes resulting from focus group discussions. Themes discussed in the current paper are highlighted. The six boxes show the six themes resulting from the data analysis (health and well-being, helplessness and avoidant coping, resilience and adaptation, cost, education, and receptivity and awareness). The themes of health and well-being, helplessness and avoidant coping, and resilience and adaptation are highlighted to indicate that they are the key themes discussed in the current paper. The themes of cost, education, and receptivity and awareness, although prominent discussion points, did not directly encapsulate the mental health objectives of the current research and thus will be presented in future work.