Chronic environmental contamination: A narrative review of psychosocial health consequences, risk factors, and pathways to community resilience. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sullivan, Daniel; Schmitt, Harrison J.; Calloway, Eric E.; Clausen, Whitney; Tucker, Pamela; Rayman, Jamie; Gerhardstein, Ben
• Is Part Of: Social science & medicine. Volume 276(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Environmental contamination -- Technological disaster -- Stress -- Psychosocial -- Community resilience -- Public health; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine sociale -- Périodiques; Anthropologie médicale -- Périodiques; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Psychologie -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113877
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-9536

Abstract

Abstract: A body of psychological and social scientific evidence suggests that the experience of technological disaster or long-term exposure to environmental contamination can be psychologically stressful. Addressing the psychosocial impact in communities living with chronic contamination is therefore a vital part of improving their resilience. Guided by a synthetic theoretical model of the unique psychosocial impact of chronic environmental contamination (in contrast to natural and technological disasters, and background pollution), we undertook a narrative review to assess the current research on this important social problem. Relevant qualitative peer-reviewed studies and grey literature were examined to derive a model identifying likely factors increasing risk for distress in chronic contamination experience and actions that may be taken by public health professionals and local leaders to enhance community resilience and take health-protective actions. Based on our initial theoretical model and the literature reviewed, we emphasize the importance of considering both the material and social dimensions of chronic environmental contamination experience. For instance, our review of the qualitative literature suggests that individuals who attribute material health impacts to contamination, and who have the social experience of their concerns being delegitimized by responsible institutions, are most at risk for psychological stress. Psychological stress in the context of chronic contamination is an important potential public health burden and a key area for additional research. Highlights: Chronic environmental contamination (CEC) is a uniquely stressful experience. CEC differs from other hazards due to uncertain material impact and social stressors. Health impacts and institutional delegitimization are risk factors for CEC stress. Community resilience to CEC can be bolstered in a way that accounts for stress impact.