Living near a hazardous waste facility: Coping with individual and family distress.

Abstract

Residents near a hazardous waste facility were interviewed about their level of distress and their involvement in a community organization concerned about toxic exposure. Specific beliefs about living near such a facility were related to individual and family distress and to participation in the organization. Implications for research and for clinical practice are discussed.

A combined ecological and epidemiologic investigation of metal exposures amongst Indigenous peoples near the Marlin Mine in Western Guatemala

“…Though this investigation focused on the health impacts of chemical (metals) pollution, stressors that are non-chemical or psychosocial may have an equally (or even greater) impact on human health (Edelstein 1998; Lima 2004; Unger et al 1992). One participant commented “if the mine is contaminating us, then we need to leave our home and our lands.” Another stated poignantly “if cattle die from using the river then who knows what will happen to us.”…”

The Contingent Meaning of Neighborhood Stability for Residents' Psychological Well-Being

“…Residents of poor, stable neighborhoods may feel stuck in a bad situation-powerless to leave a dangerous environment. When residents of dangerous places feel that they have no choice but to stay where they are, they report high levels of distress (Unger, Wandersman, and Hallman 1992).…”

Sense of community in neighborhoods as a multi-level construct

“…It is an important construct for researchers concerned with how individuals relate to their communities. Psychological sense of community has been associated with a variety of prosocial behaviors, such as support for public school taxes (Davidson & Cotter, 1993), political participation (Davidson & Cotter, 1989), and taking local action (Chavis & Wandersman, 1990), as well as with individual measures of well-being (e.g., Jason & Kobayashi, 1995;Pretty, Andrews, & Collett, 1994;Unger, Wandersman, & Hallman, 1992). At the systems level, investigators have characterized neighborhoods and communities in terms of the degree to which they display a sense of community (Buckner, 1988;Sampson, Raudenbush, & Earls, 1997).…”