The role of social capital in building community disaster resilience –empirical evidences from rural China

Abstract

The paper investigates the role of social capital in hazard management in a case area which was overwhelmingly swept by flood in mid-2021. The interplay among social capital, hazard preparedness, response and recovery are explored by using structure equation modeling. Data were gathered from over 413 villages from August 2021 to September 2021, which is one month after the flood occurred. Research findings show that villagers in region with abundant social capital are more likely to contribute to hazard preparedness. We have also confirmed the positive role of social capital in restraining the pursuit of self-interests. Villagers are more willing to help others, and take care of vulnerable population when the hazard strikes. However, it is surprising to note that social capital fails to motivates residents to make preparedness plans for future risks. This retreat effect exists when big loss occurred and failed to meet local people's expectations. Overall, this study implies that the impact of social capital on hazard risk management is extremely complex and such complexity should not be attribute solely to divergent forms of network relationship. The above conclusion enables policy makers to pay attention to the psychological foundation of social capital while cultivating it.