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Insight into the Earthquake Risk Information Seeking Behavior of the Victims: Evidence from Songyuan, China

Author

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  • Shasha Li

    (School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China)

  • Guofang Zhai

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China)

  • Shutian Zhou

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China)

  • Chenjing Fan

    (School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China)

  • Yunqing Wu

    (College of Geomatics Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, China)

  • Chongqiang Ren

    (School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
    College of Economics, Northwest University for Nationalities, Lanzhou 730030, China)

Abstract

Efficient risk communication is a vital way to reduce the vulnerability of individuals when facing emergency risks, especially regarding earthquakes. Efficient risk communication aims at improving the supply of risk information and fulfilling the need for risk information by individuals. Therefore, an investigation into individual-level information seeking behavior within earthquake risk contexts is very important for improved earthquake risk communication. However, at present there are very few studies that have explored the behavior of individuals seeking earthquake risk information. Under the guidance of the Risk Information Seeking and Processing model as well as relevant practical findings using the structural equation model, this study attempts to explore the main determinants of an individual’s earthquake risk information seeking behavior, and to validate the mediator effect of information need during the seeking process. A questionnaire-based survey of 918 valid respondents in Songyuan, China, who had been hit by a small earthquake swarm, was used to provide practical evidence for this study. Results indicated that information need played a noteworthy role in the earthquake risk information seeking process, and was detected both as an immediate predictor and as a mediator. Informational subjective norms drive the seeking behavior on earthquake risk information through both direct and indirect approaches. Perceived information gathering capacity, negative affective responses and risk perception have an indirect effect on earthquake risk information seeking behavior via information need. The implications for theory and practice regarding risk communication are discussed and concluded.

Suggested Citation

  • Shasha Li & Guofang Zhai & Shutian Zhou & Chenjing Fan & Yunqing Wu & Chongqiang Ren, 2017. "Insight into the Earthquake Risk Information Seeking Behavior of the Victims: Evidence from Songyuan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:3:p:267-:d:92389
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shasha Li & Xinyu Peng & Ruiqiu Pang & Li Li & Zixuan Song & Hongying Ye, 2021. "Information Preference and Information Supply Efficiency Evaluation before, during, and after an Earthquake: Evidence from Songyuan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-28, December.
    2. Zilin Yang & Xinping Wang & Chang Su & Boying Li, 2022. "The Relationship between Employee Risk Communication and Non-Adaptive Evacuation Behavior in Chinese Hazardous Chemical Companies: The Mediating Role of Emotional Exhaustion and Risk Perception," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-13, September.
    3. Jia Shi & Xiangnan Hu & Xuesong Guo & Cuihong Lian, 2020. "Risk Information Seeking Behavior in Disaster Resettlement: A Case Study of Ankang City, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Ruipeng Tong & Cunli Zhai & Qingli Jia & Chunlin Wu & Yan Liu & Surui Xue, 2018. "An Interactive Model among Potential Human Risk Factors: 331 Cases of Coal Mine Roof Accidents in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, June.

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