A critical review of cognitive and environmental factors of disaster preparedness: research issues and implications from the usage of “awareness (ishiki)” in Japan

Hiroaki Daimon (), Ryohei Miyamae and Wenjie Wang
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Hiroaki Daimon: Kyoto University
Ryohei Miyamae: Fukuyama City University
Wenjie Wang: Osaka University

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2023, vol. 117, issue 2, No 2, 1213-1243

Abstract: Abstract The study critically reviewed the cognitive and environmental factors that influence individual disaster preparedness behavior, focusing on the unique term of “ishiki (awareness)” in Japanese research. The 474 articles reviewed were extracted from 27 journals published between 2010 and 2020 that mentioned the keywords “disaster preparedness (bosai)” and “awareness (ishiki).” By extracting and coding the factor-behavior associations for the reviewed articles, it was found that the following cognitive and environmental factors were discussed. Cognitive factors that influence individuals' disaster preparedness behavior include seven components: awareness, risk perception, worry, self-efficacy, knowledge, intention, and dependence and trust; environmental factors include ten components: information, direct experience, disaster experience, recovery period institution, disaster preparedness program, elapsed time, demographic factors, social-economic factors, geographic factors, and social contexts. Paradoxical associations were observed for both cognitive and environmental factors, which was also discussed from four perspectives: discrepancy between prior plans and actual behavior, positive feedback to cognitive factors, formation of action habits, and change in awareness; all of which suggested that individuals' disaster preparedness behavior is a process rather than a result caused by cognitive factors. This study reveals that “ishiki (awareness)” has functioned as a term coined to desaturate diverse backgrounds in Japanese research, and points to the need for an approach that encompasses environmental factors such as physical, human, social, and economic resources. The contributions of this study cast light on aspects of the term that have been masked by its culturally unique development and point to a new direction by uncovering its internal contradictions.

Keywords: Disaster preparedness; Risk perception; Ecological approach; Systematic review; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-023-05909-y

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