Exploring depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological distress among women following the 2025 flash flood: a cross-sectional study in Feni, Bangladesh

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the mental health impacts of the 2025 flash flood on women in Feni, Bangladesh, focusing on depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological distress. Using a purposive sampling approach, 408 women from the flood-affected Fazilpur and Matabi Unions were surveyed. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the DASS-21 and K10 scales. The mean age of participants was 34.93 years (SD ± 10.35). Results showed that 17.65% of women experienced severe depression, and 42.89% were classified as having extremely severe anxiety according to DASS-21 cut-off scores, reflecting substantial psychological burden in the immediate post-flood context. Stepwise backward and multiple linear regression identified several sociodemographic and flood-related factors associated with mental health outcomes, including lower educational attainment, presence of chronic health conditions, and perceived future flood risk. For example, women with no formal education had higher depression scores (β = 2.43, p < 0.05) compared to those with education beyond SSC. Women reporting chronic illnesses showed higher depression (β = 2.32, p < 0.05) and anxiety scores (β = 2.70, p < 0.01). Additionally, those living in areas perceived as unsafe from future flooding had markedly higher psychological distress scores (β = 6.49, p < 0.001). Given the cross-sectional design and the use of screening instruments rather than clinical diagnoses, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Nevertheless, the results underscore the need for targeted, context-sensitive mental health interventions for women in flood-prone settings and highlight the importance of addressing social and environmental determinants of post-disaster psychological well-being.