Public Risk Perception Attitude and Information-Seeking Efficacy on Floods: A Formative Study for Disaster Preparation Campaigns and Policies

Abstract

Floods are among the most frequent and devastating natural hazards and disasters in many southern states in the United States. This study examined the relationship and reciprocal predictability between two theoretical constructs—risk perception attitude (RPA) and information-seeking efficacy (ISE)—in regard to pluvial floods. In addition, this study extended these theoretical constructs to investigate differences in RPA and ISE among potential audience segments, providing practitioners with applicable insights for designing effective flood prevention and risk management campaigns. Analysis of data from 716 residents in south Louisiana revealed a statistically strong relationship between RPA and ISE. This research also identified specific audience segments that would benefit from an increase in RPA and ISE concerning floods. These meaningful findings inform a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of the relationship between RPA and ISE and guide future disaster preparation campaigns and policies.

Capturing the Interplay between Risk Perception and Social Media Posting to Support Risk Response and Decision Making

“…The public’s risk perception may affect their information search and sharing behavior. Analysis reveals a statistically strong relationship between risk perception and information-seeking efficacy on floods [ 2 ]. Xu et al [ 23 ] find that perceptions of dread risk have a dominant and immediate impact on social networking site (SNS) sharing behavior in the buildup, breakout, and termination stages of emerging infectious disease (EID) events; perceptions of unknown risk have a dominant and persistent impact on sharing behavior in the abatement stage.…”

“…Although experts conduct risk assessments for hazards, most people rely on intuition to make risk judgments, which is named “risk perception” [ 1 ]. Risk perception is commonly defined as “the subjective judgment that people make about the characteristics and severity of risk”, often associated with disasters [ 2 ]. Understanding risk perceptions of a public health crisis is critical for disease prevention and control [ 3 ] because risk perception determines which hazards people care about and how they deal with them [ 4 ].…”

Analysis of information risks in education

“…Risk perception is commonly defined as "the subjective judgment that people make about the characteristics and severity of risk" [27, p. 8] in reference to judgments or arguments. Risk perception affects the personal decision-making process based on an individual's frame of reference and is developed over a lifetime [8]. Although participants in the educational process commonly experience inaccurate or incorrect information, risk perception of the disaster varies by individuals' psychological frames and/or previous experiences and reflects specific individual values.…”

“…Although participants in the educational process commonly experience inaccurate or incorrect information, risk perception of the disaster varies by individuals' psychological frames and/or previous experiences and reflects specific individual values. From the cultural theory perspective, risk perception is viewed within the social contexts in which an individual finds her/himself [28].…”

“…Information-seeking efficacy is defined as an individual's confidence in seeking necessary information to overcome difficult situations or to resolve problems [10]. It is a type of selfefficacy within the context of information.…”