Monitoring the evolution of individuals’ flood-related adaptive behaviors over time: two cross-sectional surveys conducted in the Province of Quebec, Canada

Abstract

Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and intensity of floods in the province of Quebec, Canada. Therefore, in 2015, to better monitor the level of adaptation to flooding of Quebec residents living in or near a flood-prone area, the Quebec Observatory of Adaptation to Climate Change developed five indices of adaptation to flooding, according to the chronology of events. The present study was conducted 4 years later and is a follow-up to the 2015 one. Two independent samples of 1951 (2015) and 974 (2019) individuals completed a questionnaire on their adoption (or non-adoption) of flood adaptation behaviors, their perception of the mental and physical impacts of flooding, and their knowledge of the fact that they lived in a flood-prone area. The results of the study demonstrated the measurement invariance of the five indices across two different samples of people over time, ensuring that the differences (or absence of differences) observed in flood-related adaptive behaviors between 2015 and 2019 were real and not due to measurement errors. They also showed that, overall, Quebeckers’ flood-related adaptive behaviors have not changed considerably since 2015, with adaptation scores being similar in 2019 for four of the five flood indices. Moreover, the results indicated an increase in self-reported physical and mental health issues related to past flooding events, as well as a larger proportion of people having consulted a health professional because of these problems. Thus, this study provides a better understanding of flood adaptation in Quebec over the past 4 years and confirms that the five adaptive behavior indices developed in 2015 are appropriate tools for monitoring changes in flood adaptation in the province. Finally, our results showed that little has changed in Quebeckers’ adoption of adaptive behaviors, highlighting the need for awareness raising in order to limit the impacts that climate change will have on the population.

Using the theory of planned behavior to identify key beliefs underlying flood‐related adaptive behaviors in the province of Québec, Canada

“…Results also show that none of the prevention‐related behaviors comprising the index were adopted by more than half of the respondents. These results are similar to those we obtained in a previous study (Valois, Tessier, Bouchard, et al, 2020).…”

“…This means that the participants may have exaggerated their behavior adoption rates, but some factors helped mitigate this potential problem, such as clear statements provided to the respondents that their responses were anonymous. In addition, self‐reports are often used in other studies on pro‐environmental behaviors (Bakhsh et al, 2018; Bichard & Kazmierczak, 2012; Chen & Liu, 2015), and the behavior adoption rates that we obtained are similar to those obtained in our other studies on flood prevention (Valois et al, 2019; Valois, Tessier, Bouchard, et al, 2020). Finally, the cross‐sectional nature of the study is another important limitation in bringing a causal interpretation to the observed associations.…”

“…This led to the development and the validation of five indices of adaptation to flooding according to the chronology of flood events: (a) pre‐alert preventive behaviors, (b) post‐alert behaviors, (c) behaviors during a flood not requiring evacuation, (d) behaviors during a flood requiring evacuation, and (e) post‐flood behaviors. The same five indices were used in a subsequent study conducted in 2019 and 2020, which focused on the development of adaptation to flooding in the province over time (Valois, Tessier, Bouchard, et al, 2020). Although monitoring flood adaptation allows decision makers to better understand Quebeckers' susceptibility to flood events, it does not per se provide insights into how to improve the current situation and increase rates of adoption of adaptive behaviors.…”

“…One of these typologies, which distinguishes between structural measures (i.e., what is done on a house or land, such as waterproofing foundations) and nonstructural measures (i.e., what does not affect the house itself, such as drawing up an inventory of personal property) was used in several studies (e.g., Mondal et al, 2021; Noll et al, 2022; Oubennaceur et al, 2022; Valois et al, 2019; Valois, Bouchard, Talbot, et al, 2020). However, few studies have assessed if and how households and individuals adopt and implement structural adaptation measures and behaviors while also aiming to identify the key psychosocial determinants of their adoption (Babcicky & Seebauer, 2019; Grothmann & Reusswig, 2006; Valois et al, 2019; Valois, Tessier, Bouchard, et al, 2020). The current study focuses specifically on this second element.…”

Understanding Flood Risk Perception: A Case Study from Canada

“…Reductions in such activities could weaken the mental health of disaster victims. Valois et al [61] indicated an increase in self-reported physical and mental health issues related to past flooding events, as well as a larger proportion of people having consulted a health professional because of these problems. Another point that was raised by respondents regarding perceptions of the floods consequences was insurance.…”