Experiencing, caring, coping: Vested interest mediates the effect of past experience on coping behaviors in environmental risk contexts

Abstract

AbstractSocial psychology provides a treasure‐trove of insights into adaptations that may limit the devastating effects of climate change. Vested Interest Theory may contribute to this knowledge base, suggesting that one's vested interest may significantly influence appropriate coping behaviors, as it is has been shown to enhance the relation between attitudes and self‐relevant behaviors. The theory's utility is investigated in an environmental risk context. Here, we replicate previous research findings showing that citizens in high‐risk areas perceived higher risk and stronger intentions to cope with it when vested interest perceptions were salient. Furthermore, the current studies investigate the behavioral effect of vested interest on coping with an environmental risk (flooding): results showed that vested interest significantly mediated the past experience–coping behaviors relationship. In Study 1’s mediation analysis (Rome and Vibo Valentia, Italy, N = 466), past experience of flood risk enhanced vested interest in flood risk, which in turn increased volunteering for flood prevention activities, thereby mitigating risk. In Study 2 (N = 391), the same mediation effect was replicated in the Timis region, a high flood risk area in western Romania. These results shed light on literature inconsistencies on this topic, providing insights for the theoretical understanding of the relationship between past experience of a given risk and related coping behaviors, possibly shedding light to the risk perception paradox. These insights may drive effective intervention strategies to enhance people's behavioral coping with environmental risks.