The Association between Emotional Responses to Climate Change, Antenatal Anxiety and Maternal–Fetal Attachment in Primigravida Women

ABSTRACT

Aim

To investigate the association between emotional responses to climate change, antenatal anxiety, and maternal–fetal attachment in primigravida women.

Design

A multi-site cross-sectional research design study.

Methods

This study was conducted at four primary health care (PHC) facilities in Damanhur district, El-Behera, from February 2024 to April 2024. Two hundred eighty-five women completed a comprehensive questionnaire that included a Woman's Social and Reproductive Form, The inventory of climate emotions (ICE) scale, The Stirling Antenatal Anxiety Scale (SAAS) and the Maternal–Fetal Attachment Scale (MFAS-HU-20).

Results

The study revealed that emotional responses to climate change show strong positive correlations with each other, ranging from 0.689 to 0.840, all significant at p < 0.001 level. Additionally, antenatal anxiety demonstrates substantial positive correlations with emotional responses to climate change, albeit with associations ranging from 0.239 to 0.287, all significant at p < 0.001 level. Moreover, maternal–fetal attachment displays substantial negative correlations with emotional responses to climate change, indicating that as emotional responses to climate change increase, maternal–fetal attachment tends to decrease. The correlations range from −0.263 to −0.426, all significant at p < 0.001.

Conclusions

The emotional impact of climate change can adversely affect the bonding process between mother and fetus.

Implications for the Profession

Healthcare professionals, including obstetricians, midwives, and mental health counsellors, should integrate climate-related emotional distress into their assessments and interventions. Providing targeted psychological support for expectant mothers.

Impact

The study's findings highlight the need for nursing to integrate climate-related emotional distress screening into prenatal care and for research to explore long-term effects and intervention effectiveness. In practice, healthcare providers should adopt holistic approaches that combine environmental and psychological support, developing comprehensive guidelines and community-based programs to support pregnant women.

Reporting Method

The research adhered to that is STROBE.

Patient or Public Contribution

Public contributions by women in community health centers.