Factors Influencing (Mal)adaptive Responses to Natural Disasters: The Case of Hurricane Matthew

Abstract

Abstract Climate-related disasters are on the rise, with a 44% increase between 1994 and 2013, and the population at risk is ever growing. The need to help people protect their well-being, families, and homes is of utmost importance. We surveyed individuals impacted by Hurricane Matthew in real time in October 2016 to explore the role of mental health, self-efficacy, social support, and evacuation and attitudinal factors on disaster response. We asked, “How much do 1) evacuation-relevant factors (reported evacuation zone, awareness of risk, and source of warning); 2) attitudes (climate- and environment-related perceptions and intentions); and 3) psychosocial factors (mental health, self-efficacy, and social support) contribute to engagement in protective behaviors (evacuation and preparation)?” We found 1) greater immediate exposure to risk increases protective behaviors; 2) climate and environmental concern increase preparation, but not evacuation; and 3) people with greater mental health and self-efficacy respond in ways commensurate with risk, taking protective actions if they live within a reported evacuation zone and not if they are not at risk, while those with lower mental health and self-efficacy do not respond in line with risks. These findings paint a complex picture of disaster response and suggest that preparedness efforts need to go beyond simple policy prescriptions (e.g., mandated evacuations) or improved messaging toward a focus on developing comprehensive programs that build human capital and provide people with psychological and social resources in advance of, during, and after an extreme weather event.