Meta-analytic results on the antecedents of risk perceptions of different types of natural hazards

Introduction: Involving the population is essential to ensure better resilience to natural hazards that maximizes self-protection. Among the major predictors of motivation to protect oneself there is risk perception (van Valkengoed & Steg, 2019). A significant amount of research has studied risk perception; however, there are no quantitative syntheses of the available literature. Objectives: This contribution aims to 1) meta-analytically estimate the magnitude of the effects of different potential antecedents of risk perception of various hazards; and 2) investigate the effect of possible moderators of these relationships. Materials & Methods: Using a search string on various databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO) and following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, 121 bibliographic records (127 studies) were identified. Results: The results of the first objective showed that nineteen antecedents significantly influence the perception of natural hazards. The antecedent results are of three types (Bonaiuto & Ariccio, 2020): 1) factors related to the individual-risk relationship, 2) factors related to the individual-community relationship, 3) individual factors (i.e. sociodemographic and dispositional). Those of the first type are the most frequent among those with stronger effects (r ≥ .30). As for the moderators, in some cases the type of natural risk considered, and the risk level of the sample area proved to be significant. Conclusions: Risk management should consider the three types of antecedents, and any moderators, following the priorities obtained, to maximize the involvement of the population to improve its resilience in all the necessary phases (preparedness/prevention, response, recovery).