Mental Health and Somatic Symptoms of Residentsin Relation to Landfill Site Proximity

Abstract

The Jakuševec landfill is the main landfill for Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Its
proximity to residential areas has sparked protests from residents demanding better
waste disposal solutions. Although its closure was planned years ago, it continues to
operate due to a lack of alternatives. Over time, it has become a major environmental
problem, mainly due to pollution and unpleasant odors. Despite public concern, no
study has yet examined the mental health and somatic symptoms of residents living
at different distances from the landfill. For this reason, the current study set out to
examine this issue. A total of 823 residents of Zagreb (84.4% women) between the
ages of 18 and 85 took part in the online study. Participants indicated their place of
residence, reported on their mental health based on measures of depression, anxiety,
stress and life satisfaction, and on the frequency of somatic symptoms. Participants
indicated their place of residence and provided information on the frequency of
somatic symptoms, as well as on their mental health using scales assessing life
satisfaction, stress, anxiety, and depression. The results of a series of hierarchical
regression analyses showed that living near the landfill was associated with reduced
life satisfaction and a higher frequency of somatic complaints. These findings
underscore the urgent need for the City of Zagreb to develop alternative waste
management strategies that prioritize both environmental sustainability and the
health and well-being of local residents.