Psychological and Situational Variables Associated with Objective Knowledge on Water-Related Issues in a Northern Spanish City

Elena Andrade, Gloria Seoane, Sergio Vila-Tojo, Cristina Gómez-Román and Jose-Manuel Sabucedo
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Elena Andrade: Department of Social Psychology, Basic Psychology and Methodology, CRETUS Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Gloria Seoane: Department of Social Psychology, Basic Psychology and Methodology, CRETUS Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Sergio Vila-Tojo: Department of Social Psychology, Basic Psychology and Methodology, CRETUS Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Cristina Gómez-Román: Department of Social Psychology, Basic Psychology and Methodology, CRETUS Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Jose-Manuel Sabucedo: Department of Social Psychology, Basic Psychology and Methodology, CRETUS Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: This study brings together the level of objective knowledge on water-related issues and other variables of psychological and situational nature. A random sample of 459 participants was employed, selected proportionally based on sex and age. In this sample, knowledge on the water-related issues tended to be low, particularly related to the direct source of water in the household, the type of services involved in the management, and consumption itself. In order to understand both the relationship with knowledge on water and the relative importance of all the other factors, a regression model was formulated. The highest standardised effect was for sex, followed by occupation, political leaning, and water-related emotions. The best level of knowledge was attained if the residents were male, if they were actively employed or unemployed, if their political leaning was towards the left, and if they demonstrated greater emotional involvement with the water use. Consequently, the design of programmes would need to consider that the information flow must be greater for citizens as a whole, particularly for certain groups such as women and students. It should contribute to the realistic perception of water as a problem and to seek emotional involvement.

Keywords: water-related issues; water objective knowledge; water domestic consumption; social perception; psychological factors; urban population (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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