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Background <p>Climate-related hazards are intensifying worldwide, posing escalating risks to not only agricultural productivity but also mental health. Farmers in low- and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable, yet the psychological impacts of climate disasters on these populations remain underexplored. This study aimed to examine the associations between climate-related hazard exposure and mental health outcomes among farmers in southern Thailand, a region heavily affected by climate disasters, including floods, droughts, and storms.</p> Methods <p>A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 346 farmers in four districts of Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces, classified as high- or low-climate hazard exposure areas, via five-year disaster records. Data on sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, climate experiences, and coping strategies were collected via structured questionnaires. Mental health outcomes were assessed via the validated Thai version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Multivariable logistic regression was applied to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) to assess the associations between climate hazard exposure and adverse mental health outcomes.</p> Results <p>Depression was significantly more prevalent among farmers in high-exposure areas (49.7%) than among those in low-exposure areas (36.0%; <i>p</i> = 0.010). Increased flooding frequency in the previous years was strongly associated with depression (aOR = 6.10; 95% CI: 2.26–16.47), anxiety (aOR = 3.33; 95% CI: 1.18–9.38), and stress (aOR = 9.81; 95% CI: 3.74–25.74). Conversely, farmers in low-exposure areas reported significantly higher engagement in institutional supports (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), including community resource management (20.5% vs. 2.2%), financial compensation (19.3% vs. 2.2%), and adoption of drought-resistant seeds (25.5% vs. 3.2%) whereas farmers in high-exposure areas largely relied on self-directed coping.</p> Conclusions <p>Climate-related hazards are significantly associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and stress among farmers. These findings underscore the importance of integrating mental health interventions into national climate adaptation frameworks, with a focus on early psychological screening, financial risk protection, and targeted psychosocial support for agricultural communities repeatedly affected by floods, droughts, and storms.</p>

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Mental health impacts of climate-related hazards among farmers: evidence from a community-based study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月7日

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  • Ratanon Kaewvijit,
  • Penradee Chanpiwat,
  • Pornchai Sithisarankul,
  • Patthrarawalai Sirinara,
  • Thammasin Ingviya

摘要

Background

Climate-related hazards are intensifying worldwide, posing escalating risks to not only agricultural productivity but also mental health. Farmers in low- and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable, yet the psychological impacts of climate disasters on these populations remain underexplored. This study aimed to examine the associations between climate-related hazard exposure and mental health outcomes among farmers in southern Thailand, a region heavily affected by climate disasters, including floods, droughts, and storms.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 346 farmers in four districts of Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces, classified as high- or low-climate hazard exposure areas, via five-year disaster records. Data on sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, climate experiences, and coping strategies were collected via structured questionnaires. Mental health outcomes were assessed via the validated Thai version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Multivariable logistic regression was applied to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) to assess the associations between climate hazard exposure and adverse mental health outcomes.

Results

Depression was significantly more prevalent among farmers in high-exposure areas (49.7%) than among those in low-exposure areas (36.0%; p = 0.010). Increased flooding frequency in the previous years was strongly associated with depression (aOR = 6.10; 95% CI: 2.26–16.47), anxiety (aOR = 3.33; 95% CI: 1.18–9.38), and stress (aOR = 9.81; 95% CI: 3.74–25.74). Conversely, farmers in low-exposure areas reported significantly higher engagement in institutional supports (p < 0.001), including community resource management (20.5% vs. 2.2%), financial compensation (19.3% vs. 2.2%), and adoption of drought-resistant seeds (25.5% vs. 3.2%) whereas farmers in high-exposure areas largely relied on self-directed coping.

Conclusions

Climate-related hazards are significantly associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and stress among farmers. These findings underscore the importance of integrating mental health interventions into national climate adaptation frameworks, with a focus on early psychological screening, financial risk protection, and targeted psychosocial support for agricultural communities repeatedly affected by floods, droughts, and storms.