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Public Perceptions of Health Risks from Polluted Coastal Bathing Waters: A Mixed Methodological Analysis Using Cultural Theory

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  • Ian H. Langford
  • Stavros Georgiou
  • Ian J. Bateman
  • Rosemary J. Day
  • R. Kerry Turner

Abstract

This article explores public perceptions of, and attitudes toward, possible health risks from polluted coastal bathing waters in the United Kingdom. Cultural theory is applied in the present analysis, using a mixed methodology of quantitative analysis from interviews and qualitative interpretation of focus group discussions to provide insights into how different cultural solidarities view a number of issues. These include risks to health; attitudes toward regulation; public consultation and information provision; and trust, blame, and accountability applied to different stakeholders in the bathing‐water‐quality debate. The results show that individuals' standpoints can be represented on a number of dimensions, consistent with cultural theory, including perceptions of power and authority, beliefs in the efficacy of collective action, and acceptance or rejection of incremental change as opposed to radical solutions. The discussion focuses both on methodological and substantive issues related to the use of cultural theory as a research tool, and on policy recommendations arising from this research.

Suggested Citation

  • Ian H. Langford & Stavros Georgiou & Ian J. Bateman & Rosemary J. Day & R. Kerry Turner, 2000. "Public Perceptions of Health Risks from Polluted Coastal Bathing Waters: A Mixed Methodological Analysis Using Cultural Theory," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(5), pages 691-704, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:20:y:2000:i:5:p:691-704
    DOI: 10.1111/0272-4332.205062
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    Cited by:

    1. Areti Kontogianni & Ian Langford & Andreas Papandreou & Mihalis Skourtos, 2003. "Social Preferences for Improving Water Quality: An Economic Analysis of Benefits from Wastewater Treatment," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 17(5), pages 317-336, October.
    2. Lackowska Marta & Nowicka Barbara & Bałandin Marta & Grochowski Mirosław, 2016. "Lakes sensitivity to climatic stress – a sociological assessment," Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development, Sciendo, vol. 20(4), pages 38-47, December.
    3. Karen Bickerstaff & Gordon Walker, 2002. "Risk, Responsibility, and Blame: An Analysis of Vocabularies of Motive in Air-Pollution(ing) Discourses," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 34(12), pages 2175-2192, December.
    4. Florian Justwan & Bert Baumgaertner & Juliet E Carlisle & Emma Carson & Jordan Kizer, 2019. "The effect of trust and proximity on vaccine propensity," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, August.
    5. Branden B. Johnson & Brendon Swedlow, 2021. "Cultural Theory's Contributions to Risk Analysis: A Thematic Review with Directions and Resources for Further Research," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(3), pages 429-455, March.
    6. Ian H Langford & Mihalis S Skourtos & Areti Kontogianni & Rosemary J Day & Stavros Georgiou & Ian J Bateman, 2001. "Use and Nonuse Values for Conserving Endangered Species: The Case of the Mediterranean Monk Seal," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 33(12), pages 2219-2233, December.
    7. Stephen Larock & Jamie Baxter, 2013. "Local facility hazard risk controversy and non-local hazard risk perception," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(6), pages 713-732, June.
    8. Geoboo Song, 2014. "Understanding Public Perceptions of Benefits and Risks of Childhood Vaccinations in the United States," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 34(3), pages 541-555, March.
    9. Mohamad Hisyam Selamat & Othman Ibrahim, 2018. "The Moderating Effect of Risk Culture in Relationship between Leadership and Enterprise Risk Management Implementation in Malaysia," Business Management and Strategy, Macrothink Institute, vol. 9(1), pages 244-271, December.
    10. Branden B. Johnson & Brendon Swedlow, 2024. "Scale reliability of alternative cultural theory survey measures," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 527-557, February.
    11. Nicholas Smith & Anthony Leiserowitz, 2012. "The Rise of Global Warming Skepticism: Exploring Affective Image Associations in the United States Over Time," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(6), pages 1021-1032, June.

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