Alice Maldonado-Verdugo
Research Mentor: Tina Lasisi
Mentor Department: Anthropology, LSA
Author(s): Alice Maldonado-Verdugo, Paloma Contreras, Tina Lasisi
Session: Session 4 (1:00 PM – 1:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 58
Abstract
Water insecurity is becoming a bigger problem in many cities, especially in places that depend on water supply systems that only run intermittently. In Iztapalapa, Mexico City, families often have an unreliable water supply, so they have to constantly worry about planing, storing, and managing water for daily use. Women often have to do more of these tasks than men, which can cause emotional stress on top of the physical work of getting water. This study investigates the correlation between emotional responses to water insecurity and elevated perceived stress levels among women residing in Iztapalapa. This study utilizes survey data from around 400 women to examine responses from the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) scale, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) and QUAIL-Mex (this study). The analysis specifically examines emotional experiences associated with water insecurity, such as feelings of worry, anger, and shame. These variables will be analyzed to formulate an emotional water burden score and to examine its association with perceived stress levels through quantitative methods. The results may highlight the importance of the role of emotional experiences involving stress within water-insecure communities and emphasize the necessity of addressing the mental health implications when tackling disparities in water access and infrastructure.
