title: The Effects of Water Insecurity and Emotional Distress on Civic Action for Improved Water Infrastructure in Rural South Africa.
abstract: The South African constitution ratifies water as a human right. Yet millions of citizens remain disconnected from the national water infrastructure. Drawing on data collected in 2013-2014 from women in northern South Africa, this study explores "water citizenship"-individual civic engagement related to improving water service provision. Literature indicates that water insecurity is associated with emotional distress and that water-related emotional distress influences citizen engagement. I extend these lines of research by assessing the connection that water insecurity and emotional distress may collectively have with civic engagement to improve access to water infrastructure.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division, Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bulled
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D060432:Anthropology, Medical; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty / Q000208:ethnology; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D014881:Water Supply
keywords: South Africa; citizenship; emotional distress; rural poor; water insecurity