Influence of Weather on the Incidence of Mood Disorders by Gender: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background: Mood disorders are multifactorial conditions influenced by biological, psychological, and environmental determinants. Weather-related factors such as temperature, sunlight exposure, humidity, and seasonal variation have been implicated in mood regulation, yet gender-specific patterns in weather-associated mood disorder frequency remain insufficiently described. Objective: To describe the relationship between weather conditions and the frequency of mood disorders and to examine gender-based differences in their distribution. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a 12-month period among 300 adult patients diagnosed with mood disorders according to DSM-5 criteria at outpatient psychiatric clinics of a tertiary care hospital. Meteorological data on temperature, sunlight exposure, humidity, and season were obtained from official records and temporally matched to clinical assessments. Gender-stratified frequencies were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests, including chi-square analysis and logistic regression. Results: Mood disorder frequency varied significantly by season, with the highest proportion observed during winter (38.0%, p = 0.018). Low ambient temperature (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.12–2.35), reduced sunlight exposure (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.23–2.46), and high humidity (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.01–1.98) were significantly associated with higher mood disorder frequency. Females accounted for 62.7% of cases and demonstrated significantly higher vulnerability under low sunlight conditions compared with males (OR = 1.39, p = 0.044). Conclusion: Weather-related factors, particularly seasonal variation and reduced sunlight exposure, are associated with gender-specific differences in mood disorder frequency, highlighting the importance of incorporating environmental and gender-sensitive considerations into mental health assessment and care.