Exploring Community Psychosocial Stress Related to Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Contamination: Lessons Learned from a Qualitative Study

Eric E. Calloway, Alethea L. Chiappone, Harrison J. Schmitt, Daniel Sullivan, Ben Gerhardstein, Pamela G. Tucker, Jamie Rayman and Amy L. Yaroch
Additional contact information
Eric E. Calloway: Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, Omaha, NE 68114, USA
Alethea L. Chiappone: Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, Omaha, NE 68114, USA
Harrison J. Schmitt: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Daniel Sullivan: Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Ben Gerhardstein: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
Pamela G. Tucker: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
Jamie Rayman: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
Amy L. Yaroch: Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, Omaha, NE 68114, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-19

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure experience and associated stressors, to inform public health efforts to support psychosocial health and resilience in affected communities. Semi-structured interviews ( n = 9) were conducted from July–September 2019 with community members and state public health department representatives from areas with PFAS-contaminated drinking water. Thematic analysis was completed and themes were described and summarized. Reported stressors included health concerns and uncertainty, institutional delegitimization and associated distrust, and financial burdens. Interviewees provided several strategies to reduce stress and promote stress coping capacity and resilience, including showing empathy and validating the normalcy of experiencing stress; building trust through visible action and sustained community engagement; providing information and actionable guidance; discussing stress carefully; fostering stress coping capacity and resilience with opportunities to build social capital and restore agency; and building capacity among government agencies and health care providers to address psychosocial stress. While communities affected by PFAS contamination will face unavoidable stressors, positive interactions with government responders and health care providers may help reduce negative stress. More research on how best to integrate community psychosocial health and stress coping and resilience concepts into the public health response to environmental contamination could be helpful in addressing these stressors.

Keywords: environmental contamination; mental health; psychosocial stress; stress coping capacity; public health response; community engagement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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