Citizens' Perceptions of Flood Hazard Adjustments: An Application of the Protective Action Decision Model. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Terpstra, Teun; Lindell, Michael K.
• Is Part Of: Environment and behavior. Volume 45:Number 8(2013)
• Page Start: 993
• Page End: 1018
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: flood -- preparedness -- hazard adjustment attributes -- attribute importance -- risk perception; Human ecology -- Periodicals; 304.2
• DOI: 10.1177/0013916512452427
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-9165

Abstract

Although research indicates that adoption of flood preparations among Europeans is low, only a few studies have attempted to explain citizens' preparedness behavior. This article applies the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) to explain flood preparedness intentions in the Netherlands. Survey data ( N = 1, 115) showed that hazard-related attributes (e.g., perceived efficacy in protecting persons) were positively correlated, but failed to show that resource-related attributes (e.g., perceived costs) were negatively correlated with preparedness intentions. Although respondents rated the hazard-related attributes as more important than the resource-related attributes, moderated regression failed to detect practically meaningful interaction effects. Risk perception was also positively correlated with preparedness intentions but explained less variance than did the hazard-related attributes. Among the demographic characteristics, only female gender was consistently correlated with higher risk perception and the hazard-related attributes. Finally, risk area was correlated with perceived flood likelihood and consequences as well as the hazard-related attributes. Implications are discussed.