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The Effect of Social Trust on Citizens’ Health Risk Perception in the Context of a Petrochemical Industrial Complex

Author

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  • Miguel Ángel López-Navarro

    (Department of Business Administration and Marketing, Jaume I University, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat, Castelló de la Plana 12071, Spain)

  • Jaume Llorens-Monzonís

    (Department of Business Administration and Marketing, Jaume I University, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat, Castelló de la Plana 12071, Spain)

  • Vicente Tortosa-Edo

    (Department of Business Administration and Marketing, Jaume I University, Av. Vicent Sos Baynat, Castelló de la Plana 12071, Spain)

Abstract

Perceived risk of environmental threats often translates into psychological stress with a wide range of effects on health and well-being. Petrochemical industrial complexes constitute one of the sites that can cause considerable pollution and health problems. The uncertainty around emissions results in a perception of risk for citizens residing in neighboring areas, which translates into anxiety and physiological stress. In this context, social trust is a key factor in managing the perceived risk. In the case of industrial risks, it is essential to distinguish between trust in the companies that make up the industry, and trust in public institutions. In the context of a petrochemical industrial complex located in the port of Castellón (Spain), this paper primarily discusses how trust — both in the companies located in the petrochemical complex and in the public institutions — affects citizens’ health risk perception. The research findings confirm that while the trust in companies negatively affects citizens’ health risk perception, trust in public institutions does not exert a direct and significant effect. Analysis also revealed that trust in public institutions and health risk perception are essentially linked indirectly (through trust in companies).

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel Ángel López-Navarro & Jaume Llorens-Monzonís & Vicente Tortosa-Edo, 2013. "The Effect of Social Trust on Citizens’ Health Risk Perception in the Context of a Petrochemical Industrial Complex," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:10:y:2013:i:1:p:399-416:d:22977
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    2. Gösta Axelsson & Leo Stockfelt & Eva Andersson & Anita Gidlof-Gunnarsson & Gerd Sallsten & Lars Barregard, 2013. "Annoyance and Worry in a Petrochemical Industrial Area—Prevalence, Time Trends and Risk Indicators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-21, April.
    3. Antonella Bena & Martina Gandini & Laura Crosetto & Cristiana Ivaldi & Enrico Procopio & Giuseppe Salamina & Manuela Orengia & Elena Farina, 2021. "Perceived Risk in the Population Living near the Turin Incinerator: Comparison between before and at Three Years of Operation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-11, August.
    4. Longji Hu & Rongjin Liu & Wei Zhang & Tian Zhang, 2020. "The Effects of Epistemic Trust and Social Trust on Public Acceptance of Genetically Modified Food: An Empirical Study from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-20, October.
    5. Piyapong Janmaimool & Tsunemi Watanabe, 2014. "Evaluating Determinants of Environmental Risk Perception for Risk Management in Contaminated Sites," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-23, June.

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