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Getting Active in the Gulf: Environmental Attitudes and Action Following Two Mississippi Coastal Disasters

Social Indicators Research volume 118, pages 919–936 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

The current study examined the impact of the Gulf Oil Spill and Hurricane Katrina, environmental attitudes, and environmental action among residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The authors sought to determine if disaster impact, worry about the environment, or connection to nature was associated with environmental action following the oil spill and in general. We hypothesized that disaster impact and environmental attitudes would be significantly associated with environmental action. Surveys were administered to 1,108 individuals receiving mental health services in connection with the Gulf Oil Spill. Results indicated that disaster impact was correlated with environmental worry, connection to nature, and action. Additionally, environmental worry and connection to nature were significantly associated with action, as were the effects of Hurricane Katrina to a lesser degree. This study supplements the existing literature by examining environmental attitudes, disaster impact, and their association with environmental action following two disasters.

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Notes

  1. This research was funded in part through a contract between the corresponding author and the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (MS DMH), who in turn received funds from BP, plc. While this research received external funding, the conclusions and findings herein do not necessarily reflect the views of BP or the state of Mississippi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA

    A. Brooke Walters, Christopher F. Drescher, Brandy J. Baczwaski, Bethany J. Aiena, Marie C. Darden, Laura R. Johnson & Stefan E. Schulenberg

  2. University of Mississippi Clinical-Disaster Research Center (UM-CDRC), University, 38677, MS, USA

    Stefan E. Schulenberg

  3. Department of Psychology, Missouri State University, Springfield, 65897, MO, USA

    Erin M. Buchanan

Authors
  1. A. Brooke Walters
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  2. Christopher F. Drescher
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  3. Brandy J. Baczwaski
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  4. Bethany J. Aiena
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  5. Marie C. Darden
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  6. Laura R. Johnson
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  7. Erin M. Buchanan
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  8. Stefan E. Schulenberg
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan E. Schulenberg.

Additional information

The data for the present study were collected through a contract between Dr. Schulenberg and the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health funded mental health organizations through a grant program made possible by funding from BP, p.l.c. Dr. Schulenberg was hired to evaluate the clinical services, training, and outreach provided by the organizations funded under this grant. Dr. Schulenberg served as principal investigator under this contract. Miss Walters, Mr. Drescher, Mrs. Baczwaski, Miss Aiena, and Miss Darden served as research assistants under this contract. Dr. Johnson served as a consultant in multicultural and environmental psychology under this contract. Dr. Buchanan consulted on the current paper.

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Walters, A.B., Drescher, C.F., Baczwaski, B.J. et al. Getting Active in the Gulf: Environmental Attitudes and Action Following Two Mississippi Coastal Disasters. Soc Indic Res 118, 919–936 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-013-0428-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-013-0428-2

Keywords

  • Gulf Oil Spill
  • Disaster impact
  • Environmental worry
  • Connection to nature
  • Environmental action