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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 71-74 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Wisconsin medical journal |
| Volume | 118 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| State | Published - 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The Summer Student Research and Clinical Assistantship program at University of Wisconsin, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health contributed financial support to this study.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Wisconsin Medical Society.