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Disaster risk reduction: Psychological perspectives on preparedness

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Paton, Douglas·2019·Australian Journal of Psychology
DOI 10.1111/ajpy.12237
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Abstract

Facilitating people's ability to anticipate, prepare for and recover from disaster is an important component of the UNISDR strategy for disaster risk reduction. Following a discussion of the functional characteristics of preparedness, this paper first discusses how hazard characteristics and psychological constructs influence people's ability to anticipate uncertain future events. It then reviews how psychological theories (Health Belief Model, Protection Motivation Theory, PrE Theory, Theory of Planned Behaviour, Critical Awareness Theory, Social Marketing, Protective Action Decision Model, Social Capital, Community Engagement Theory and Social Identity Theory) can inform understanding of preparedness for likely and current hazard events. Discussion then then turns to applying concepts and theories to understanding preparedness for current disasters. The all‐hazards and cross‐cultural applicability of preparedness theory is discussed, as are a need for a critical appraisal of preparedness, its predictors, and the nature and development of the preparedness process and its application in facilitating effective intervention strategies.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Paton, D.
Affiliations
Charles Darwin University (AU)
Corresponding author
Paton, Douglas
ORCID
Paton, Douglas
Venue
Australian Journal of Psychology
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2019-12-01
Volume
71
Issue
4
Pages
327-341
ISSN
  • 0004-9530 (ISSN-L)
  • 1742-9536
DOI
10.1111/ajpy.12237
OpenAlex
W2906404254
Cited by
247
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 63 · 2025: 57 · 2024: 40 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 5
FWCI
19.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Australian Journal of Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Disaster Management and Resilience
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Risk Perception and Management
  • Social Sciences › Communication › Public Relations and Crisis Communication
Keywords
disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, hazard prediction, Health Belief Model, protection motivation theory, theory of planned behavior, social marketing, Protective Action Decision Model, social capital, community participation, social identity theory, all-hazards preparedness, disaster recovery

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