A conceptual framework for understanding the mental health impacts of oil spills: lessons from the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
This paper introduces a conceptual framework for understanding and responding to the currently unfolding social and psychological impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Drawing from the concept of corrosive communities and its relationship to theories of conservation of resources, cognitive activation, and risk and resilience, the conceptual model identifies three levels or tiers of impacts: biopsychosocial impacts that are direct consequences of the contamination of the physical environment; interpersonal impacts that are direct consequences of the biopsychosocial impacts; and intrapersonal or psychological impacts that are consequences of both the biopsychosocial and the interpersonal impacts. The model is then evaluated in light of research conducted in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill as well as studies of other manmade disasters, and offers a set of testable hypotheses that predict likely impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The conceptual framework may be used to identify strategies to develop community resilience and target specific services to prevent and mitigate these adverse effects.
University of Southern California, School of Social Work, 669 West 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0411, USA. palinkas@usc.edu
Lawrence A
LA
Palinkas
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D004190:Disasters; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D060851:Gulf of America / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000191:economics; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D059392:Petroleum Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D011593:Psychology, Social; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D035501:Uncertainty; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology