Environmental Stressors and Mental Health

Abstract

The aim of the present study was an attempt to understand the impact of environmental stressors viz., residential density and noise sensitivity on perceived stress, health complaints and mental health. The sample for the present investigation consisted of 320 subjects (160 males and 160 females) in the age range of 25-40 years living within a 500 meter radius of the main railway track in Ambala City. The tests used for the present investigation were Noise Sensitivity Scale (Weinstein, 1978), Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983), Adult Health Checklist (Forgays, 1994) and Mental Health Inventory (Veit & Ware, 1983).Residential density was calculated by dividing the number of people living in the home by the number of rooms in the house. A three way analysis of variance design was employed to analyse the data. The results of the study reveal that residential density and noise sensitivity have detrimental effects on several aspects of human functioning. Gender as an independent variable has not only emerged as a significant determinant of mental health, it has also moderated the impact of residential density and noise sensitivity. It is felt that future research may include more in-depth investigations of the mental health of individuals exposed to various environmental stressors.