Predictive effect of climate change worry on depression in pregnant women

Abstract Climate change is a global health problem. There are studies showing that climate change negatively affects reproductive health and fetal health. However, studies determining the effect of climate change on depression in pregnancy are limited. In this study, we aimed to determine the predictive effect of climate change worry on depression in pregnant women. The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 114 pregnant women. The data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Information Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, Climate Change Worry Scale and Climate Change Hope Scale. We used Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analysis to analyze the data. There was a relationship between depression and climate change worry, trait anxiety and hope to prevent climate change. Climate change worry scores and trait anxiety score explained 8.7% of the variance of depression score. Climate change worry explained 3.8% of the variance in depression in pregnant women when trait anxiety was controlled. Climate change worry significantly predicts depression scores. In pregnant women, an increase in climate change worry was associated with depression and anxiety, as well as an increase in hope of preventing climate change. Climate change worry is an important predictor of depression in pregnant women. Nurses should plan care by taking climate change worry into account when evaluating depression and anxiety in pregnant women.