Original scientific paper

Spousal Perception of Environmental Pollution in Different Types of Settlements

Josip Janković ; Department of Social Work, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Damir Ljubotina ; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Gordana Berc ; Department of Social Work, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The authors analysed and assessed perception of ecological problems
in three different areas: villages, small and medium towns and big cities. The research included 813 married couples who were interviewed separately, husbands and wives, to give their opinions on
the environmental pollution in general and particularly waste pollution,
water waste, smog, industrial pollution, noise, and water pollution. High level of correlation between husbands' and wives' assessments
was found - Φ = 0,60 (p < 0,01). Same differences in perception of
certain sorts of pollution were found among inhabitants from settlements of different size. The largest number of husbands in big cities perceive smog and noise most, in small and medium towns - industrial pollution as it is easier to observe than in large cities, while in villages they perceive water pollution due to the lack of appropriate
water supply system. Wives in big cities more often perceive the problem of waste disposal due to their usual care about family space,
and smog and noise, just like their husbands do. In small towns they,
same as their husbands, emphasize industrial pollution, and a problem
with water waste in villages, due to the lack of the sewage system. 37,0 % husbands and 35,2% wives in villages, 36,6% husbands and
38,3% wives in small towns, and 52% husbands and 55,1% wives in
large cities perceive the pollution problem. This indicates that the inhabitants are only partly aware of the problem of environmental pollution. Some actions should be undertaken to make them more aware of the problem and additionally informed about the problem, and then educate all the family members, especially children, to recognize and prevent all sorts of pollution at personal, family and
general level, with the goal of behavioural changes and establishing
healthy, ecologically conscious life style, in the line of H. S. Richards
recommendation.

Keywords

ecology; village; town; city; type of settlement; wives; husbands; pollution

Hrčak ID:

34102

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/34102

Publication date:

12.3.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 2.083 *