Abstract:Increasingly, citizens are being asked to take a more active role in disaster risk reduction (DRR), as decentralization of hazard governance has shifted greater responsibility for hazard preparedness actions onto individuals. Simultaneously, the taxonomy of hazards considered for DRR has expanded to include medical and social crises alongside natural hazards. Risk perception research emerged to support decision--makers with understanding how people characterize and evaluate different hazards to anticipate beha… Show more
“…This defines preparedness as a combination of social capacities and reads similar to the above introduced IRM principle and the definition of social capacity. Many of these concepts and definitions used in risk research lack distinct meanings (Shreve and Fordham, 2016), which reflects the change of paradigms and rationales Nat. Hazards Earth Syst.…”
Abstract. Building a culture of risk is an essential objective within the integrated risk management paradigm. Challenges arise both due to increasing damage from natural hazards and the complexity in interaction of different actors in risk management. In Switzerland, the Strategy for Natural Hazards Switzerland, aims to establish efficient protection of the population, natural resources and material goods. This requires that all actors are recognized and aware of their responsible role in risk management. However, previous, non-representative studies indicate that risk awareness and preparedness levels are rather low within the general population. For the first time, our nation-wide survey provides empirical data on factors that influ-ence individual risk preparedness. Multivariate analysis shows that taking responsibility for natural hazard risk prevention is not only related to personal experience and perceived probability of hazard events, but also crucially influenced by social forms of communication and integration. Therefore, we conclude that social capacity building needs to include such factors in order to render integrated risk management strategies successful.
“…This defines preparedness as a combination of social capacities and reads similar to the above introduced IRM principle and the definition of social capacity. Many of these concepts and definitions used in risk research lack distinct meanings (Shreve and Fordham, 2016), which reflects the change of paradigms and rationales Nat. Hazards Earth Syst.…”
Abstract. Building a culture of risk is an essential objective within the integrated risk management paradigm. Challenges arise both due to increasing damage from natural hazards and the complexity in interaction of different actors in risk management. In Switzerland, the Strategy for Natural Hazards Switzerland, aims to establish efficient protection of the population, natural resources and material goods. This requires that all actors are recognized and aware of their responsible role in risk management. However, previous, non-representative studies indicate that risk awareness and preparedness levels are rather low within the general population. For the first time, our nation-wide survey provides empirical data on factors that influ-ence individual risk preparedness. Multivariate analysis shows that taking responsibility for natural hazard risk prevention is not only related to personal experience and perceived probability of hazard events, but also crucially influenced by social forms of communication and integration. Therefore, we conclude that social capacity building needs to include such factors in order to render integrated risk management strategies successful.
“…There is some evidence to suggest that reasons for this may in part be psychological in nature and dependent on social context [ 7 , 12 – 15 ]. Risk perception literature indicates that preparedness behaviors are likely linked to perceived risk of severity and personal vulnerability, ability to prepare (efficacy), and likelihood that specific behaviors will actually mitigate risk [ 16 , 17 ]. Associated research underscores the importance of considering demographic variables, including types of vulnerability, when examining engagement in preparedness.…”
BackgroundOn 25th April 2015, Nepal experienced a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by countless aftershocks. Nearly 9000 people were killed and over 600,000 homes destroyed. Given the high frequency of earthquake and other natural hazards in Nepal, disaster preparedness is crucial. However, evidence suggests that some people exposed to prior disasters do not engage in risk reduction, even when they receive training and have adequate resources. Mental health symptoms, including those associated with prior disaster exposure, may influence engagement in preparedness. Perceived preparedness for future disasters may in turn influence mental health. Social cohesion may influence both mental health and preparedness.MethodsWe developed and tested a hybrid mental health and disaster preparedness intervention in two earthquake-affected communities in Nepal (N = 240), about 2.5 months after the April 25th, 2015 earthquake. The 3-day intervention was culturally adapted, facilitated by trained Nepalese clinicians and focused on enhancing disaster preparedness, mental health, and community cohesion. Communities were selected based on earthquake impacts and matched on demographic variables. The intervention was administered initially to one community, followed by the other receiving the intervention shortly thereafter. Survey data was collected across three time points. Focus groups were also conducted to examine intervention impact.ResultsAt pre-intervention baseline, greater depression symptoms and lower social cohesion were associated with less disaster preparedness. Depression and PTSD were associated with lower social cohesion. Participation in the intervention increased disaster preparedness, decreased depression- and PTSD-related symptoms, and increased social cohesion. Mediation models indicated that the effect of intervention on depression was partially explained by preparedness. The effect of the intervention on disaster preparedness was partially explained by social cohesion, and the effect of intervention on depression and on PTSD was also partially explained by social cohesion. Data from focus groups illuminate participant perspectives on components of the intervention associated with preparedness, mental health and social cohesion.ConclusionsThis mental health integrated disaster preparedness intervention is effective in enhancing resilience among earthquake-affected communities in Nepal. This brief, cost-effective group intervention has the potential to be scaled up for use with other communities vulnerable to earthquakes and other natural hazards.Trial registrationClinical Trials Registry-India, National Institute of Medical Statistics. Registration number: CTRI/2018/02/011688. http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/login.php Retrospectively registered February 5th, 2018. First participant enrolled July 2015.
“…Across hazard types examined, preparedness actions taken were minimal and frequently related to lower cost measures such as stockpiling food and emergency supplies with some exceptions; these actions are beneficial in the initial disaster recovery phase, but then have no substantive benefit for mitigation. Relatively recent community-level models of hazard preparedness, which map the complexity of individual and relational factors leading to hazard preparedness behaviors such as Paton (2003Paton ( , 2008, capture the dominant cognitive, normative, and social factors identified in the risk perception literature influencing people's preparedness behaviors, therefore providing a useful tool for local emergency/disaster risk managers (Shreve et al, 2016).…”
Section: Risk Perception and Behavioral Change At The Community-levelmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Relatively recent community-level models of hazard preparedness, which map the complexity of individual and relational factors leading to hazard preparedness behaviors such as Paton (2003Paton ( , 2008, capture the dominant cognitive, normative, and social factors identified in the risk perception literature influencing people's preparedness behaviors, therefore providing a useful tool for local emergency/disaster risk managers (Shreve et al, 2016).…”
Section: Risk Perception and Behavioral Change At The Community-levelmentioning
Risk perception research has played an influential role in supporting risk management and risk communication policy. Risk perception studies are popular across a range of disciplines in the social and natural sciences for a wide range of hazard types. Their results have helped to articulate the complex individual, relational, structural, and environmental factors influencing people's behavior. Connections between individual and collective behaviors and norms impacting global climate change, and consequently, local disaster risk, however, are infrequently included in disaster risk management. This paper presents results from two diverse and complementary European risk perception studies examining both natural and anthropogenic hazards. Research gaps and recommendations for developing more comprehensive risk management strategies are presented.
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