Disparate effects of BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill exposure on psychological resilience.

Abstract

A growing body of research has demonstrated links between exposure to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DHOS) and negative consequences for well-being in the impacted region. We contribute to this literature by investigating the relationship between exposure to the DHOS (i.e., physical and economic) and subsequent perceptions of the ability to cope with adverse events (i.e., psychological resilience) among adults with children. Doing so advances prior research by (a) providing a direct test of psychological resilience (i.e., the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale) rather than relying on proxy measures and (b) improving on cross-sectional studies by using prospective cohort data to establish temporal ordering between spill exposure and psychological resilience. Data were obtained from the 2014 Gulf Coast Population Impact study and the 2018 wave of the Resilient Children, Youth, and Communities study (N = 481). The analysis used descriptive statistics and linear regression models with adult psychological resilience (10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale) as the outcome of interest. Results showed that economic DHOS exposure held a significant negative relationship with later levels of psychological resilience, whereas physical DHOS exposure did not. These findings inform policy and practice by underscoring links between socioeconomic disaster impacts and psychological resilience in the aftermath of such events.

Coping with oil spills: oil exposure and anxiety among residents of Gulf Coast states after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

“…These results are consistent with previous findings from studies examining associations between oil exposure and acute mental health impacts [ 11 , 18 , 22 , 33 , 34 ]. The implications for longer-term mental health are unclear; one recent study found that physical exposure to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill was not associated with measures of psychological resiliency for several years among adults with children [ 35 ], while another study found that later mental health in the community might be a function of cumulative exposure to other disasters as well (e.g., Hurricane Katrina) not only the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill [ 36 ]. Our findings that exposed individuals with lower self-mastery scores had greater mental health impacts also agree with studies demonstrating the positive associations between high levels of self-mastery and improved mental health [ 37 ].…”

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Exposures and Long-term Self-rated Health Effects Among Parents in Coastal Louisiana

“…1,2 Most population-based research has used cross-sectional data to study health in the context of the DHOS, an important shortcoming because technological disasters can have health impacts spanning years. [2][3][4][5] Few panel studies exist and even fewer cover more than 1 or 2 years, thus, much remains unknown about the long-term DHOS effects on health. [6][7][8][9] Exceptions include a panel study of women following the DHOS which found ongoing elevated symptoms of depression and mental distress up to 6 years following the spill.…”