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Bushfires and Mothers’ Mental Health in Pregnancy and Recent Post-Partum

Author

Listed:
  • Nicolas Cherbuin

    (National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Amita Bansal

    (School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
    John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Jane E. Dahlstrom

    (School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
    John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
    The Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia)

  • Hazel Carlisle

    (The Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia)

  • Margaret Broom

    (The Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia
    School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia)

  • Ralph Nanan

    (Sydney Medical School and Charles Perkins Centre Nepean, University of Sydney, Penrith, NSW 2750, Australia)

  • Stewart Sutherland

    (School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Sotiris Vardoulakis

    (National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Christine B. Phillips

    (School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Michael J. Peek

    (School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Bruce K. Christensen

    (School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia)

  • Deborah Davis

    (School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
    Nursing and Midwifery Office, ACT Government Health Directorate, Phillip, ACT 2606, Australia)

  • Christopher J. Nolan

    (School of Medicine and Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
    John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
    The Canberra Hospital, Canberra Health Services, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia)

Abstract

Background: The compounding effects of climate change catastrophes such as bushfires and pandemics impose significant burden on individuals, societies, and their economies. The enduring effects of such syndemics on mental health remain poorly understood, particularly for at-risk populations (e.g., pregnant women and newborns). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of direct and indirect exposure to the 2019/20 Australian Capital Territory and South-Eastern New South Wales bushfires followed by COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of pregnant women and mothers with newborn babies. Methods: All women who were pregnant, had given birth, or were within three months of conceiving during the 2019/2020 bushfires, lived within the catchment area, and provided consent were invited to participate. Those who consented were asked to complete three online surveys. Mental health was assessed with the DASS-21 and the WHO-5. Bushfire, smoke, and COVID-19 exposures were assessed by self-report. Cross-sectional associations between exposures and mental health measures were tested with hierarchical regression models. Results: Of the women who participated, and had minimum data ( n = 919), most (>75%) reported at least one acute bushfire exposure and 63% reported severe smoke exposure. Compared to Australian norms, participants had higher depression (+12%), anxiety (+35%), and stress (+43%) scores. Women with greater exposure to bushfires/smoke but not COVID-19 had poorer scores on all mental health measures. Conclusions: These findings provide novel evidence that the mental health of pregnant women and mothers of newborn babies is vulnerable to major climate catastrophes such as bushfires.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolas Cherbuin & Amita Bansal & Jane E. Dahlstrom & Hazel Carlisle & Margaret Broom & Ralph Nanan & Stewart Sutherland & Sotiris Vardoulakis & Christine B. Phillips & Michael J. Peek & Bruce K. Chri, 2023. "Bushfires and Mothers’ Mental Health in Pregnancy and Recent Post-Partum," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2023:i:1:p:7-:d:1304015
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leeann Kuehn & Sabrina McCormick, 2017. "Heat Exposure and Maternal Health in the Face of Climate Change," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Monica Ahmad & Laura Vismara, 2021. "The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Women’s Mental Health during Pregnancy: A Rapid Evidence Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Clare Wenham & Julia Smith & Sara E. Davies & Huiyun Feng & Karen A. Grépin & Sophie Harman & Asha Herten-Crabb & Rosemary Morgan, 2020. "Women are most affected by pandemics — lessons from past outbreaks," Nature, Nature, vol. 583(7815), pages 194-198, July.
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