The impact of risk communication, trust, and coping appraisal on individual preparedness decisions in geological hazard-prone areas

• Published in: International journal of disaster risk reduction 2024-01, Vol.100, p.104166, Article 104166
• Main Authors: Hu, Shiyu, Zhou, Jiawen, Tang, Lan, Zhao, Yunfei, Xing, Huige
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coping appraisal; Disaster preparedness; Geological hazard risk; Risk communication; Structural equation modeling
• ISSN: 2212-4209; 2212-4209
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.104166

The favorable development conditions for hazards and the expansion of human activities have made the management of geological hazard risks in mountainous areas increasingly complex. It has been pointed out that deep participation of individuals in disaster governance within risk-prone areas is essential for socialized disaster reduction. There is a relative lack of research on the decision-making processes of individual geological disaster preparedness, in which the complex relationship between risk communication and disaster preparedness decisions deserves particular attention. This study constructed a model of disaster preparedness decision-making based on risk communication and protection motivation theory with risk information, fear, trust, and coping appraisal as factors, and collected and analyzed cross-sectional data in Ganluo County, Sichuan Province, China. The results show that risk information plays a significant positive role in promoting individual disaster preparedness willingness. Additionally, trust and coping appraisal have a significant positive impact on preparedness willingness and play a crucial mediating role in the influence of risk information on disaster preparedness decisions. Based on the model results and the field study, the rationality of the factors' performance in the model results and the reasons for the discrepancy with expectations, as well as the critical time and content of risk communication, are discussed. The research provides references for decision-makers to understand the process of public disaster preparedness decision-making and offers theoretical guidance and practical suggestions for geological disaster risk communication and risk governance.