Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T05:32:00.688Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Importance of Self-Efficacy in Parental Emergency Preparedness: A Moderated Mediation Model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2017

Meagan T. Ryan ,
Cynthia A. Rohrbeck  and
Philip W. Wirtz
Meagan T. Ryan*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Cynthia A. Rohrbeck
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Philip W. Wirtz
Affiliation:
Department of Decision Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Meagan T. Ryan, Department of Psychology, George Washington University, 2125 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20052 (e-mail: msweeney713@email.gwu.edu)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

Disasters occur without warning and can have devastating consequences. Emergency preparedness can reduce negative effects. It is especially important that parents prepare, as children are particularly vulnerable after disasters. This study tested 2 hypotheses: (1) adults with more children are likely to be better prepared than those with fewer or no children because greater caretaking is linked to greater perceived threat of disaster leading to greater preparedness and (2) the strength of this mediational link varies as a function of parental self-efficacy.

Methods

Data from an online survey about human-made disasters (terrorism) with a community convenience sample were used to test the hypothesis that perceived threat mediates the relationship between parental status (number of children cared for) and preparedness behaviors, moderated by level of self-efficacy for emergency preparedness.

Results

A bootstrapping analysis with relevant covariates supported the hypothesized mediating effect of threat on the relationship between parental status and preparedness. This relationship was strengthened at higher levels of parental preparedness self-efficacy.

Conclusions

The results of this study are particularly relevant for preparedness interventions. Because threat leads to preparedness, particularly for parents with high self-efficacy, it is important to focus attention on factors that can improve parents’ sense of self-efficacy. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 345–351)

Keywords

emergency preparednessself-efficacyperception of threatparentsterrorism
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , June 2018 , pp. 345 - 351
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Bonanno, GA, Brewin, CR, Kaniasty, K, Greca, AML. Weighing the costs of disaster: consequences, risks, and resilience in individuals, families, and communities. Psychol Sci Public Interest. 2010;11(1):1-49.10.1177/1529100610387086Google Scholar
2. Costa, R, Bever, L, du Lac, JF, Horwitz, S. Church shooting suspect Dylann Roof captured amid hate crime investigation. Washington Post. June 18, 2015;18.Google Scholar
3. Botelho, G, Ellis, R. San Bernardino shooting investigated as act of terrorism, 2015. http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/04/us/san-bernardinoshooting/ index.html. Accessed January 12, 2016.Google Scholar
4. Hensley, N, Blau, R. Two gunmen shot dead by cops after opening fire outside controversial Prophet Muhammad Art Exhibit in Texas. Daily News. May 4, 2015.Google Scholar
5. Shoichet, C, Tuchman, G. Chattanooga shooting: 4 marines killed, a dead suspect and questions of motive. WGNO ABC. http://wgno.com/2015/07/16/officials-chattanooga-shooter-dead-4-marines-and-officer-shot/. Accessed July 16, 2015.Google Scholar
6. Lindell, MK, Prater, C, Perry, RW. Wiley Pathways Introduction to Emergency Management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons; 2006.Google Scholar
7. Mack, SE, Spotts, D, Hayes, A, Warner, JR. Teaching emergency preparedness to Restricted‐Budget families. Public Health Nurs. 2006;23(4):354-360.Google Scholar
8. Emergency Preparedness for Federal Employees in the National Capital Region. US Department of Homeland Security. P-912; 2012. http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1836-25045-3258/fema_p912_sept_2012_web_version.pdf. Accessed February 20, 2015.Google Scholar
9. Hamann, CJ. Disaster preparedness in rural families of children with special health care needs. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2016;10(2):225-232.Google Scholar
10. Redlener, IE, Abramson, DM, Stehling-Ariza, T, Grant, RF, Johnson, DG. The American preparedness project: where the US public stands in 2007 on terrorism, security, and disaster preparedness. New York, NY: National Center for Disaster Prepardeness. 2007. https://doi.org/10.7916/D8S75R11.Google Scholar
11. Bodos, M, Siman-Tov, M, Kreitler, S, Peleg, K. Assessment of emergency preparedness of households in Israel for war-current status. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2015;9(4):382-390.10.1017/dmp.2015.56Google Scholar
12. Paton, D, Johnston, DM. Disaster Resilience: An Integrated Approach. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas Publisher; 2006.Google Scholar
13. Diekman, ST, Kearney, SP, O’Neil, ME, Mack, KA. Qualitative study of homeowners’ emergency preparedness: experiences, perceptions, and practices. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2007;22(6):494-501.Google Scholar
14. Levac, J, Toal-Sullivan, D, O’Sullivan, TL. Household emergency preparedness: a literature review. J Community Health. 2012;37(3):725-733.10.1007/s10900-011-9488-xGoogle Scholar
15. Sattler, DN, Kaiser, CF, Hittner, JB. Disaster preparedness: relationships among prior experience, personal characteristics, and distress. J Appl Soc Psychol. 2000;30(7):1396-1420.Google Scholar
16. Pfefferbaum, B, North, CS. Children and families in the context of disasters: implications for preparedness and response. Fam Psychol. 2008;24(2):6-10.Google Scholar
17. Kubicek, K, Ramirez, M, Limbos, MA, Iverson, E. Knowledge and behaviors of parents in planning for and dealing with emergencies. J Community Health. 2008;33(3):158-168.10.1007/s10900-007-9078-0Google Scholar
18. Cicero, MX, Baum, CR. Pediatric disaster preparedness: best planning for the worst-case scenario. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2008;24(7):478-481. quiz 482-484.Google Scholar
19. Lemyre, L, Gibson, S, Zlepnig, J, Meyer-Macleod, R, Boutette, P. Emergency preparedness for higher risk populations: psychosocial considerations. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2009;134(3-4):207-214.Google Scholar
20. Markenson, D. Have we forgotten about the needs of children? Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2014;8(3):188-190.Google Scholar
21. Bateman, JM, Edwards, B. Gender and evacuation: a closer look at why women are more likely to evacuate for Hurricanes. Nat Hazards Rev. 2002;3(3):107-117.10.1061/(ASCE)1527-6988(2002)3:3(107)Google Scholar
22. Shaw, R, Shiwaku Hirohide Kobayashi, K, Kobayashi, M. Linking experience, education, perception and earthquake preparedness. Disaster Prev Manag Int J. 2004;13(1):39-49.Google Scholar
23. Ruddick, S. Maternal Thinking: Toward A Politics of Peace. Boston, MA: Beacon Press; 1995.Google Scholar
24. Warr, M, Ellison, CG. Rethinking social reactions to crime: personal and altruistic fear in family households 1. Am J Sociol. 2000;106(3):551-578.10.1086/318964Google Scholar
25. Eibach, RP, Libby, LK, Ehrlinger, J. Unrecognized changes in the self contribute to exaggerated judgments of external decline. Basic Appl Soc Psychol. 2012;34(3):193-203.Google Scholar
26. Eibach, RP, Libby, LK, Gilovich, TD. When change in the self is mistaken for change in the world. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003;84(5):917.10.1037/0022-3514.84.5.917Google Scholar
27. Drottz-Sjöberg, B, Sjoberg, L. Risk perception and worries after the chernobyl accident. J Environ Psychol. 1990;10(2):135-149.10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80124-0Google Scholar
28. Lee, JE, Lemyre, L. A social‐cognitive perspective of terrorism risk perception and individual response in Canada. Risk Anal. 2009;29(9):1265-1280.Google Scholar
29. Lindell, MK, Hwang, SN. Households’ perceived personal risk and responses in a multihazard environment. Risk Anal. 2008;28(2):539-556.10.1111/j.1539-6924.2008.01032.xGoogle Scholar
30. Caponecchia, C. Relative risk perception for terrorism: implications for preparedness and risk communication. Risk Anal. 2012;32(9):1524-1534.Google Scholar
31. Petkova, EP, Schlegelmilch, J, Sury, J, et al, The American preparedness project: where the US public stands in 2015. New York, NY: National Center for Disaster Preparedness. 2016. https://doi.org/10.7916/D84Q7TZN.Google Scholar
32. Benight, CC, Bandura, A. Social cognitive theory of posttraumatic recovery: the role of perceived self-efficacy. Behav Res Ther. 2004;42(10):1129-1148.Google Scholar
33. Rimal, RN, Real, K. Perceived risk and efficacy beliefs as motivators of change. Human Commun Res. 2003;29(3):370-399.Google Scholar
34. Bandura, A. Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall; 1977.Google Scholar
35. Ozer, EM, Bandura, A. Mechanisms governing empowerment effects: a self-efficacy analysis. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1990;58(3):472.10.1037/0022-3514.58.3.472Google Scholar
36. Slovic, P. Terrorism as hazard: a new species of trouble. Risk Anal. 2002;22(3):425-426.Google Scholar
37. Bandura, A. Guide for constructing self-efficacy scales. In: Pajares F, Urdan T, eds. Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Adolescents, Vol 5. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing; 2006:307-337.Google Scholar
38. Rohrbeck, CA, Burns, KM. Preparedness self-efficacy: reliability and validity. Poster Presented at the American Psychological Society Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
39. Friedman, MJ. Disaster mental health research: challenges for the future. In Norris FH, Galea S, Friedman MJ, Watson PJ, eds. Methods for Disaster Mental Health Research. New York: Guilford Press; 2006:289–302.Google Scholar
40. Marceron, JE, Rohrbeck, CA, Burns, KM. A self-efficacy measure for both human-made and natural disasters. Poster Presented at the Association for Psychological Science Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
41. Kohn, S, Eaton, JL, Feroz, S, Bainbridge, AA, Hoolachan, J, Barnett, DJ. Personal disaster preparedness: an integrative review of the literature. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2012;6(3):217-231.10.1001/dmp.2012.47Google Scholar
42. Lindell, MK, Perry, RW. Household adjustment to earthquake hazard - a review of research. Environ Behav. 2000;32(4):461-501.Google Scholar
43. Ray, JJ. The reliability of short social desirability scales. J Soc Psychol. 1984;123(1):133-134.Google Scholar
44. Hayes, AF. An index and test of linear moderated mediation. Multivariate Behav Res. 2015;50(1):1-22.Google Scholar