Psychosocial impacts of hydraulic fracturing in Lancashire England

Aryee, Feizel Ayitey (2019) Psychosocial impacts of hydraulic fracturing in Lancashire England. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

This thesis seeks to determine the psychosocial impact of hydraulic fracturing in Lancashire using the revised Impact of Event Scale (IES-R). No research has been done in the UK on the community impacts of fracking concerning its social impacts in the form of psychosocial stress and community disruption, and cohesion. Data for the research were obtained through a purely quantitative approach. Survey questionnaires were administered in communities within 1 mile of the Preston-New-Road fracking site operated by Cuadrilla Mining Resources. The Preston-New-Road site is in Preston, Lancashire. It is in Poulton-le-Fylde in the Warton and Westby ward.

Consistent with the survey research approach, this research adopted the cross-sectional approach of data collection. This approach is used to determine the prevailing characteristics of a population at a certain point in time. The survey questionnaires were mailed to respondents with a stamped envelope for return to the researcher. The postage package included an introductory letter, questionnaire, and a self-addressed post-paid return envelope.

This study followed standard protocols for quantitative data analysis. Concepts of social capital, perception of recreancy, and community attachment, as well as the revised impact of event scale, were used to determine the initial categories or themes guiding the analysis of the empirical data. Bivariate analysis was used to check the significance of these three variables. The perception of recreancy indicative scale was significant with the IES-R scales, intrusion subscales, avoidance subscales, and the hyperarousal subscales. These findings indicate that as the perception of recreancy increases, psychosocial stress related to hydraulic fracturing would also increase. These research findings have both theoretical and policy implications.

Theoretically, the use of the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and IES-R in natural resource extraction is very limited, and this research expands the literature in this regard. Practically, this thesis confirms that stress is indeed related to hydraulic fracturing. To deal with the stress associated with hydraulic fracturing or other mining activities, policymakers should consider the issue of trust. Measures should be put in place to ensure local residents have trust in the oil and gas companies operating in their communities.

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