Search

This paper describes life disruption associated with chemical sensitivity using data collected in an ongoing study of 305 persons (80.3% female) self-identified as having environmental illness (EI), multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), or chemical injury (CI). Having MCS was associated with reported difficulty in work, finances, quality of available medical services, access to public space and resources, relationships, and with considerable personal distress. Many of the respondents reported experiencing the loss of livelihood, home, and mobility due to living with an unrecognized illness/disability with little medical or social support. Helping professionals are in positions to offer their clinical skills to provide help and support to this population, so a discussion of clinical implications is provided.

Recent attention has focused on a hidden disability usually referred to as Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), Environmental Illness (EI), or Ecologic Illness, and involving detrimental effects upon multiple bodily systems in response to exposures to chemicals in levels that have been 'generally regarded as safe' (GRAS). This article will briefly describe MCS/EI as a disability, with emphasis on the impediments to a productive life for persons who experience this syndrome. Economic and psychological issues which are likely to be present as a result of being forced to face life with this hidden and unacknowledged problem are discussed. Political and disability issues are discussed, and examples are provided of women coping with the various aspects of this illness. Therapists who wish to be supportive to this population are offered suggestions for caregiving.

Studies of unmet health care needs have shown that women, people with poor health, and people with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to report having unmet health care needs. In this study, we examined the types of and reasons for unmet health care needs in 465 people with environmental sensitivities. A second area of inquiry involved negative reactions to general anesthesia. Results showed that the most common barriers to receiving care were the inability to find a provider who understands environmental sensitivities and a lack of accessibility due to chemical and electromagnetic exposures in health care environments. Lower income and poorer health (longer illness, a worsening or fluctuating course of illness, and a higher level of disability) were significantly correlated with the total number of reported unmet health care needs. Some people with environmental sensitivities reported having negative reactions to anesthesia of long duration; most common were nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and reduced cognitive ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical and electrical sensitivities are often invisible disabilities. Those with electrical hypersensitivity experience symptoms that result from exposure to a variety of sources of electromagnetic fields and radiation, including electrical appliances, florescent lights, computers, and cell phones and their towers. Most research has been conducted in the area of chemical sensitivity; persons with chemical sensitivities experience a wide range of negative disabling reactions to common chemicals such as fragrances, pesticides, paints, cleaners, and exhaust fumes. Recent findings indicate that chemical sensitivity is found world-wide and crosses lines of gender, race, and age. Susan Molloy has been advocating for persons with environmental sensitivities since 1983. In this interview, Lauren Sledd put questions to Molloy to illuminate the history of her pioneering advocacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined interpersonal heterosexist discrimination by examining self-reported anti-gay behaviors of heterosexual college students. Respondents were 226 college students; 94.9% had perpetrated some form of discriminatory behavior and 32.7% had committed a behavior that was rated as moderately harmful or higher. A higher amount of self-reported discriminatory behavior was associated with being male, having more homophobic attitudes, and having lower GPAs. Discriminatory behaviors were not related to political ideology, religious influence, or interaction with gay men and lesbians. Neither discriminatory behaviors nor homophobic attitudes were related to academic year, age, membership in a social fraternity/sorority, or membership on an intercollegiate athletic team. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Presents an undergraduate course related to women's mental health. Determination of moral development; Identification of treatments regarding women in mental health system; Correlation between cultural and intrapsychic variables.

In this article I explore community access-primarily the lack thereof-for persons with disabling environmental sensitivities (ESs). Respondents with chemical and electrical sensitivities described their level of access to common community resources that most persons take for granted, including communities of worship, grocery stores, health food stores, community meetings, public libraries, the homes of extended family members and friends, offices of dentists and medical doctors, public parks, and classes at their local universities. Most had tentative access at best. In addition, participants listed the disability barriers that most restricted them from public participation. Results are described using both quantitative and qualitative data and the problem is analyzed within the context of industrial capitalism's influence upon institutions.