Spatial Inequalities, Geographically-Based Discrimination and Environmental Quality of Life

Abstract

In the present chapter, we consider residential discrimination as an emerging question and take into account its institutional factors and psychological impacts. More precisely, our aim is to focus on the inhabitants of discriminated spaces in order to examine how they perceive this discrimination, and how they identify with and appropriate their place of residence. Our goal is also to study the psychological effects of this perceived discrimination, particularly in terms of self-esteem and well-being. Thus, we first show how identification with one's place of residence is a fundamental process in the individual's relationship with such a place. Relying on the psychosocial models of place identification, we then show how inhabitants experience social and spatial discrimination and how spatial inequalities can influence the levels of residential satisfaction and quality of life. Lastly, we describe some of the adaptive strategies that discriminated individuals resort to in order to maintain a certain level of self-esteem and, ultimately, of well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)