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Water Conservation and Environmental Sustainability from a Community Clinical Psychological Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Caputo

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Manuela Tomai

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Elpiniki Pomoni

    (Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council, 56127 Pisa, Italy)

  • Hilda Cecilia Méndez

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of El Salvador (UES), San Salvador 3222, El Salvador)

  • Bartolo Atilio Castellanos

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of El Salvador (UES), San Salvador 3222, El Salvador)

  • on behalf of the “Agua Futura” Consortium

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of El Salvador (UES), San Salvador 3222, El Salvador
    Membership of the “Agua Futura” Consortium is provided in the acknowledgments.)

  • Viviana Langher

    (Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

This study was carried out as a part of the international cooperation project “Agua Futura” for the improvement of water resource management in rural communities of Central America. Given the problem of water shortage, especially in El Salvador, the aim was to detect some key factors affecting water conservation and environmental sustainability from a community clinical psychological perspective. Ninety rural inhabitants (mean age = 46.84, SD = 17.05) of El Salvador were given a structured interview exploring their symbolizations about water conservation. Data were analyzed through computer-assisted thematic analysis, then complemented by a qualitative analysis. Several themes were identified highlighting some differences regarding the emotional salience given to water resources as a primary good, the sense of responsibility for the sustainability of water resources at the community level, as well as diverse motivations and purposes affecting water use in households. The findings support the role of emotions, representations about others’ attitudes, and defenses against vulnerability and future uncertainty about water shortage. Additionally, the shift between an individualist or collectivist perspective underlying the decision to preserve water resources represents a significant matter to be taken into account for the understanding of effective pro-environmental behaviors in the long run.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Caputo & Manuela Tomai & Elpiniki Pomoni & Hilda Cecilia Méndez & Bartolo Atilio Castellanos & on behalf of the “Agua Futura” Consortium & Viviana Langher, 2022. "Water Conservation and Environmental Sustainability from a Community Clinical Psychological Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:15:p:9146-:d:871935
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cho, Yoon-Na & Thyroff, Anastasia & Rapert, Molly I. & Park, Seong-Yeon & Lee, Hyun Ju, 2013. "To be or not to be green: Exploring individualism and collectivism as antecedents of environmental behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(8), pages 1052-1059.
    2. Daniel Kahneman, 2003. "Maps of Bounded Rationality: Psychology for Behavioral Economics," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 93(5), pages 1449-1475, December.
    3. Emmy De Buck & Hans Van Remoortel & Karin Hannes & Thashlin Govender & Selvan Naidoo & Bert Avau & Axel Vande Veegaete & Alfred Musekiwa & Vittoria Lutje & Margaret Cargo & Hans‐Joachim Mosler & Phili, 2017. "Approaches to promote handwashing and sanitation behaviour change in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a mixed method systematic review," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(1), pages 1-447.
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