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Abstract
The present study aimed to adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Meteoropathy Scale (METEO-Q) for the Turkish population. Furthermore, it aims to suppress some limitations of the original study by examining construct validity and test-retest reliability, and associations between certain variables. A total of 603 participants (M=34,92, SD=13,57) were recruited. METEO-Q, Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), and sociodemographic form were utilized to collect data. To test the construct validity, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were carried out. The exploratory factor analysis result pointed out the presence of a two-factor structure. Two-factor structure exhibited a reasonable model fit in the confirmatory factor analysis. The two factors (meteorosensitivity and meteoropathy), structured checklist and, total score of METEO-Q indicated good reliability (α = .86, .88, .95, .93, respectively). Test-retest reliability scores demonstrated good reliability. The METEO-Q score was positively associated with SPAQ, gender, self-mutilation, and suicidal behaviors. In conclusion, the Turkish version of METEO-Q provides a valid and reliable measurement tool for the general population.
Keywords: meteoropathy, meteorosensitivity, scale adaptation, construct validity, reliability.
The ancient Greeks realized a relationship between the weather and people's health. Thus, they created the term meteoropathy from the combination of the Greek words meteora and pathos (Žikić & Rabi-Žikić, 2018). Meteoropathy means weather-related illness, symptom, pain. It impacts every facet of an individual's life (Celic et al., 2019). Temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and the degree of brightness of the sun are the variables that come to mind when it comes to weather. A sudden or severe change in at least one of these variables causes mental and physical symptoms in susceptible individuals: headache, weakness, sensitivity to muscle and joint pain, depressed mood, irritability, and palpitation. These symptoms often regress within a day or two (Mazza et al., 2012).
Meteorosensitive people are those who have a biological predisposition to experiencing the effects of changes in the climate on their mental and physical state. The quantity of this sensitivity is different among meteoropathic individuals-those who develop a particular illness or worsen existing health conditions due to these changes. Some people experience new symptoms; on the other hand, some face a worsening of pre-existing diseases (Mazza et al., 2012). Meteoropathy is more severe in women, middle-aged or older people, and...