Identifying the psychosocial impact of an institutional crisis connected to earthquakes caused by gas extraction in the Netherlands: An analysis of the literature on population health and its determinants
Abstract as pdf
Corresponding Author:
Wera van Hoof
ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre Netherlands
w.van.hoof@impact.arq.org
Author(s):
Jorien Holsappel1 and Michel Dückers2
1The Protestant Theological University, J.C.Holsappel@Pthu.Nl, NLD
2University Of Groningen / ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, M.Duckers@Impact.Arq.Org, NLD
Background
Citizens of Groningen, a province in the north of the Netherlands, have been chronically exposed to earthquakes caused by gas extraction, resulting in a reduction of house prices and stressors.
Objective
To comprehensively document the psychosocial health of the population in the earthquake region and to identify both risk factors and protective factors in this population.
Method
The positive health model was used to analyse data from Dutch studies on the psychosocial wellbeing of citizens in Groningen published between 2014 and 2020 in terms of health outcomes, risk factors, and protective factors. This model explains how different aspects of wellbeing are connected. This analysis was combined with a psychosocial resilience framework comprising factors at the individual, community and societal level.
Results
The available studies were generally based on cross-sectional self-reported surveys and interviews. Our analysis of these studies supports the notion that individuals within the earthquake population experience a wide range of effects, covering each dimension of the positive health model. The studies highlighted individual risk factors such as loss of control, lack of trust, anger, stress and concerns about the future, as well as perceived injustice. Social cohesion functions as a protective factor at the community level. A crucial community and societal risk factor is that little progress has been made by the national government and mining company in terms of repairing damaged houses.
Conclusions
This study sheds light on the psychosocial impact of chronic earthquakes on the population in this region. Our results suggest that health determinants at different levels are interconnected and need to be addressed simultaneously by decision makers across disciplines.
References
Dückers, M.L.A. (2017), A multilayered psychosocial resilience framework and its implications for community-focused crisis management. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 25 (3), 182–187.
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Focus on human needs: Understanding good and bad practices in public health crises