Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Lisa M. Scharff

Abstract

AbstractBed bugs have been common household insects for centuries and are a challenge to eradicate, but the extent to which bed bug infestations psychologically impact individuals and families is largely uninvestigated. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of families in rural areas in Nevada who had experienced bed bug infestations. The transactional model of stress and coping was used as a framework for this research. Participants were recruited using posters placed in public areas, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants to gather data. Major and minor themes and meanings were derived from participant narratives using the van Kaam method of phenomenological analysis, and member-checking was used to validate the data. Overall, the data revealed devastating psychological and physical impact on the participants. Major themes included: (a) bed bug infestations impacted every aspect of family life, (b) the experience was traumatic to the whole family, (c) action and agency were used as coping mechanisms, and (d) significant health, psychological, and social impacts added to emotional distress. Participants identified that bed bug infestations made it difficult to perform daily routine tasks and care for their children. The results of this study have potential implications for positive social change that include indicating the need for the development of effective interventions to mitigate the impact of infestations on families and their children, expansion of awareness of the impact of the phenomena, and identification of useful resources within communities.

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