Explaining preparedness towards hydrometeorological hazards. An exploratory study in Mexico

Abstract

This study explores how the threat and appraisal constructs proposed by the Protection Motivation Theory affect preparedness behavior towards hydrometeorological hazards contingent to the confidence on the governmental support, the individual’s social vulnerability, and his/her previous experience with a natural threat. Data from an online survey of residents of two Mexican coastal counties was used to provide empirical support to the conceptual model developed. The analytical results of structural equation modelling indicate that a high confidence in the authorities’ support has a non-significant effect on preventive behaviors but negatively affects the perceived coping selfefficacy of socially vulnerable individuals. Additionally, preparedness behavior is triggered by risk or coping factors depending on the previous experience with an hydrometeorological hazard. These findings advise to 1) better manage the expectations of socially disadvantaged residents regarding the governmental assistance by improving their self-protection ability towards natural threats, and 2) offset the decreased risk perception of households who are exposed to hydrometeorological warnings regularly. The main limitation of this study is the small purposing sample used to empirically validate the model proposed. An extensive study based on a probabilistic sample of coastal communities of Mexico is recommended to confirm the findings of this exploratory research.