This study assesses whether caregivers report greater climate-related mental health burden and whether structural factors are associated with this burden. Authors conducted a cross-sectional analysis using 2023 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data. Multivariable logistic regressions assessed associations between caregiver status, structural factors, and climate-related mental health burden. Subgroup analysis among caregivers evaluated whether these associations were more pronounced in this population.

Findings: Caregivers had increased odds of climate-related mental health burden. Within the caregiver subgroup, higher odds were associated with housing insecurity, caregiving-related financial stress, bisexual/pansexual identity, and providing care to older adults. Rural caregivers in neighborhoods with low community cohesion also had elevated odds. Caregivers reported greater climate-related mental health burden than non-caregivers. Findings highlight the role of structural factors in shaping mental health and the need for climate resilience strategies that meaningfully incorporate caregiving considerations into adaptation planning. Attending to these structural determinants is essential for building resilient responses to climate change that recognize and meet the shared needs of caregivers and their care recipients.