Association of Stressors Driven by Climate Change with Mental Health Problems among Adults in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan

This study investigated the predictive association of stressors (with mental health problems, i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) driven by climate change among adults in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. For the sample, adults aged between 20 and 55 years were recruited from various locations in Gilgit Baltistan (Gilgit & Baltistan) using convenience sampling techniques. The measures, including the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS), were used to assess the variables. The findings revealed that climate change significantly predicted depression, anxiety, and stress. Nevertheless, the stress was found to be a moderately positive predictive relationship in each case. The findings suggest that climate-related stress is significantly associated with increased psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress). The findings underscore the significant role of climate-related stress and assist in designing and implementing indigenous psycho-social support and interventions to reduce the risk of mental health issues and improving wellbeing of climate-disaster-affected communities.