Association between personality traits and food stockpiling for disaster.

Moeka Harada,Jun Oka,Nobuyo Tsuboyama-Kasaoka,Rie Kobayashi,Sergio A Useche

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259253

Abstract

This study investigated the association between personality traits and food stockpiling for disasters in predicted high-risk areas of food shortages due to the Nankai Trough Earthquake. This survey was conducted between December 18 and 20, 2019, using a web-based questionnaire. The participants were 1,200 individuals registered with an online survey company. This study analyzed the association between the Big Five personality traits and food stockpiling status (n = 1192). The Big Five personality traits assess five basic dimensions of personality (i.e., extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, and openness). To measure theses personality traits, we used the Japanese version of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI-J). The Mann-Whitney test and a multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that none of the Big Five personality traits were significantly associated with having or not having stockpile food. However, interestingly, considering the stages of behavior change regarding stockpiling, high extraversion was significantly positively related to initiating stockpiling. Moreover, high neuroticism was significantly positively related to interrupted stockpiling. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on personality traits (especially low extraversion and high neuroticism) to promote food stockpiling for disasters.

Highlights

Owing to pandemics such as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the food supply chain has buckled [1]
This study investigated the association between personality traits and food stockpiling for disasters at home using an online survey
The results showed that the Big Five personality traits were not significantly associated with having or not having stockpile food

Summary

Introduction

Owing to pandemics such as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the food supply chain has buckled [1]. People’s perceptions of there being a “food shortage” resulted in panic buying [2]. Such panic buying can occur during a pandemic and after natural disasters. Natural disasters disrupt the food supply chain, and people in affected areas face food a scarcity [3], which can further trigger panic buying behavior. If individuals do not have stockpiles, food assistance from outside the disaster affected area will be required. Food shortages can be expected even outside the disaster affected areas.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion