Participation Type
Poster
Session Title
Session 3.09 Poster Session
Presentation #1 Title
West Virginia Coal Miners: A Model for Conceptualizing Behavioral Health Risks
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
There has been a great deal of research that documents the health risks associated with underground coal mining. Miners are at risk for diseases such as emphysema, Black Lung, and musculoskeletal injuries. In contrast, relatively little attention has been paid to the study of the behavioral and mental health risks associated with this occupation. Increased risk of injury, narrow role definitions for males, contentious relationships between companies and miners, and difficult working conditions likely contribute to a unique environment of behavioral health risks. This presentation will provide a model for considering how the unique psychosocial ecology of the southern West Virginia coalfields might interact with the psychological risks and physical demands of the coal mining occupation to set the stage for an increased risk for depression, anxiety, alcoholism, substance abuse, and accidents. Consideration of models for behavioral health services that might meet the unique needs of Appalachian coal miners will also be discussed.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Jillian Keener is a graduate student in the doctoral program in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) at Marshall University. She is also employed as a therapist.
West Virginia Coal Miners: A Model for Conceptualizing Behavioral Health Risks
MSC Lobby
There has been a great deal of research that documents the health risks associated with underground coal mining. Miners are at risk for diseases such as emphysema, Black Lung, and musculoskeletal injuries. In contrast, relatively little attention has been paid to the study of the behavioral and mental health risks associated with this occupation. Increased risk of injury, narrow role definitions for males, contentious relationships between companies and miners, and difficult working conditions likely contribute to a unique environment of behavioral health risks. This presentation will provide a model for considering how the unique psychosocial ecology of the southern West Virginia coalfields might interact with the psychological risks and physical demands of the coal mining occupation to set the stage for an increased risk for depression, anxiety, alcoholism, substance abuse, and accidents. Consideration of models for behavioral health services that might meet the unique needs of Appalachian coal miners will also be discussed.
