Ambühl, Benjamin; Tomberge, Vica Marie Jelena; Kunwar, Bal Mukunda; Schertenleib, Ariabe; Schertenleib, Ariane; Marks, Sara J.; Inauen, Jennifer (2021). The Role of Psychological Ownership in Safe Water Management: A Mixed-Methods Study in Nepal. Water, 13(5), p. 589. MDPI 10.3390/w13050589
|
Text
water-13-00589-v2.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY). Download (874kB) | Preview |
Long-term management and use of community-based safe water systems are essential to reduce water-related health risks in rural areas. Water sector professionals frequently cite water users’ sense of ownership for the water system as essential for its continuity. This study aims to provide the first insight into users’ understanding of psychological ownership, as well as generalizable data, regarding safe water management in rural Nepal. In this convergent mixed-methods study, we conducted 22 qualitative and 493 quantitative interviews with community members in five districts of Nepal, where spring-fed piped water supplies were previously implemented through a demand-led, participatory planning approach. We analyzed the qualitative data by thematic analysis and modeled quantitative routes to and consequences of psychological ownership in generalized estimating equations. Findings from qualitative and quantitative analyses converged to show that community members’ decision-making, investment of labor and money, and knowledge about the water system were associated with greater psychological ownership. Psychological ownership was related to greater acceptance and responsibility for maintenance and use, as well as greater confidence in functionality of the water system, but not to its actual functionality. The results highlight the potential of psychological ownership and community participation for the longevity of community-based safe water infrastructure.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
|---|---|
Division/Institute: |
07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Institute of Psychology > Psychological and Behavioral Health |
UniBE Contributor: |
Ambühl, Benjamin Adrian, Tomberge, Vica Marie Jelena, Inauen, Jennifer |
Subjects: |
100 Philosophy > 150 Psychology 600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health |
ISSN: |
2073-4441 |
Publisher: |
MDPI |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Sina Röthlisberger |
Date Deposited: |
22 Sep 2021 14:56 |
Last Modified: |
05 Dec 2022 15:53 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.3390/w13050589 |
BORIS DOI: |
10.48350/159058 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/159058 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit item |