Alexandra Serfaty
Research Mentor(s): Tina Lasisi
Mentor Department: Anthropology
Authors: Alexandra Serfaty, Paloma Contreras
Session: Session 3 (11:00am – 11:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 116
Abstract
While past studies have documented how households adapt to poor water services, many of these coping strategies come at a significant personal cost. This project explores the psychological impacts of water insecurity on women in Mexico City, focusing on stress differences between mothers and women without children. The primary research question is: Does the insecurity of water (in Mexico City) have a different stressful impact on mothers than women without children?. Data was gathered from participants through a set of semi-structured interviews and surveys, which included questions about participants’ experiences with water access, including whether they have helped others obtain water, received support from community or political sources, and experienced family disagreements or local conflicts over water. In order to better understand how water insecurity stress varies between mothers and women without children, we coded participant’s responses using the qualitative data analysis software Atlas.ti. Responses to these questions demonstrate the challenges of limited water access and the emotions that come with it. These findings can help create better support for mothers and others affected by water scarcity in their communities.
