Coping with change in rural landscapes: The psychological stress of rural residents experiencing unconventional gas developments

摘要: Rural landscapes in many parts of the world are experiencing increasing pressure from competing uses. One particular use, unconventional natural gas extraction, has received considerable attention over past decade owing to its rapid growth and associated impacts on rural landscapes. This study examined how a sample Australian residents experienced processes psychological stress induced by coal seam project that created perceived undesirable changes resources they valued. Its effect residents’ well-being slowly unfolded several years. We deconstructed investigating primary appraisal, secondary subsequent emotional coping responses guided cognitive theory coping. Primary appraisal measured change personal communal were assessed while gauged options available individuals cope. Our results show when alerts resource loss, negative emotions more likely experienced. Such an directly drives engagement eight strategies classified into four categories: problem-focused, support-based, emotion-focused, maladaptive It also motivates indirectly except for one strategy emotion-focused mediated emotions. While contributes each pertains categories, it no remaining maladaptive. These findings shed light our understanding consequences land use communities. Implications policy discussed with emphasis need considering holistic perspective multi-dimensional nature valued community establishing procedural fairness legitimacy proposed changes.