Daraz Umar, Khan Younas, Alsawalqa Rula Odeh, Alrawashdeh Maissa N, Alnajdawi Ann Mousa
Department of Sociology, University of Malakand Chakddara, Chakdara, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Department of Sociology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
Front Psychiatry. 2024 Dec 12;15:1450943. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1450943. eCollection 2024.
Climate change significantly impacts global well-being, with rural and agricultural communities, particularly women, bearing a disproportionate burden. In Pakistan's Malakand Division, women face increased mental health challenges due to environmental stressors such as temperature rise, extreme weather, and environmental degradation. These stressors are expected to exacerbate issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. Understanding their effects on rural women's mental health is crucial for developing effective intervention strategies.
This study employs quantitative methodologies to assess the impact of climate change on the mental health of rural women in Malakand Division, focusing on Dir Upper, Dir Lower, and Shangla districts. A cross-sectional design was used, with a sample size of 600 women selected through multistage cluster sampling for geographic representation. Data were collected using structured questionnaires addressing stress, anxiety, and community dynamics. Data were analyzed using multiple regression, structural equation modeling (SEM), ANOVA, and logistic regression.
The results revealed that climate change factors-temperature increase (β = 0.42, p < 0.01), extreme weather events (β = 0.36, p < 0.01), precipitation changes (β = 0.31, p < 0.05), and environmental degradation (β = 0.28, p < 0.05)-significantly impacted rural women's mental health. High levels of stress (72%), anxiety (68%), and depression (56%) were reported. Social support (β = -0.45, p < 0.01), community cohesion (β = -0.37, p < 0.05), access to resources (β = -0.39, p < 0.01), and cultural norms (β = -0.33, p < 0.05) were key factors mitigating the effects of climate stress. Gender disparities were evident, with women showing higher mental health challenges compared to men in similar conditions.
The study concludes that climate change significantly exacerbates mental health issues for rural women. It highlights the need for gender-sensitive, community-based interventions that address both climate adaptation and mental health. Strengthening community resilience, improving access to resources, and investing in healthcare and education are vital for enhancing well-being in the face of climate change.
气候变化对全球福祉产生重大影响，农村和农业社区，尤其是妇女，承受着不成比例的负担。在巴基斯坦的马拉坎德专区，由于气温上升、极端天气和环境退化等环境压力因素，妇女面临着日益严峻的心理健康挑战。这些压力因素预计会加剧压力、焦虑和抑郁等问题。了解它们对农村妇女心理健康的影响对于制定有效的干预策略至关重要。
本研究采用定量方法评估气候变化对马拉坎德专区农村妇女心理健康的影响，重点关注上迪尔、下迪尔和尚拉地区。采用横断面设计，通过多阶段整群抽样选取600名妇女作为样本，以确保地理代表性。使用结构化问卷收集有关压力、焦虑和社区动态的数据。采用多元回归、结构方程模型（SEM）、方差分析和逻辑回归对数据进行分析。
结果显示，气候变化因素——气温升高（β = 0.42，p < 0.01）、极端天气事件（β = 0.36，p < 0.01）、降水变化（β = 0.31，p < 0.05）和环境退化（β = 0.28，p < 0.05）——对农村妇女的心理健康有显著影响。报告显示，高水平的压力（72%）、焦虑（68%）和抑郁（56%）普遍存在。社会支持（β = -0.45，p < 0.01）、社区凝聚力（β = -0.37，p < 0.05）、资源获取（β = -0.39，p < 0.01）和文化规范（β = -0.33，p < 0.05）是减轻气候压力影响的关键因素。性别差异明显，在类似情况下，女性比男性面临更高的心理健康挑战。
该研究得出结论，气候变化显著加剧了农村妇女的心理健康问题。它强调需要采取对性别问题有敏感认识的、基于社区的干预措施，既要应对气候适应问题，又要关注心理健康。加强社区复原力、改善资源获取以及投资于医疗保健和教育对于在气候变化面前提高福祉至关重要。
