Correlation Between Climate Change and Dysphoria in Primary Care

Jonathan L Temte; John R Holzhauer; Kenneth P Kushner

Correlation Between Climate Change and Dysphoria in Primary Care

WMJ. 2019 Jul;118(2):71-74.

Authors

Jonathan L Temte¹, John R Holzhauer², Kenneth P Kushner³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, jon.temte@fammed.wisc.edu.
² BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
³ Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.

PMID: 31532931

Abstract

Background: Concern about climate change may affect mental health. We evaluated the relationship between primary care patients' attitudes toward climate change and dysphoria.

Methods: In 2013, we surveyed 571 adult primary care patients in southern Wisconsin. Attitudes toward climate change were measured using a 46-point composite of 9 questions. Dysphoria was measured using a 13-point composite summing the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-2).

Results: Patients frequently reported concern about climate change and 22.5% experienced dysphoria. A significant, positive correlation existed between the composite climate change score and the dysphoria score (rs=0.345; P<0.001).

Conclusion: Primary care patients are concerned about climate change and this concern is positively related to dysphoria. The level to which dysphoria is due to climate change should be elucidated.

MeSH terms

Anxiety / diagnosis*
Climate Change*
Depression / diagnosis*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Primary Health Care*
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Stress, Psychological / diagnosis*
Wisconsin