Investigating the relationship between past flood experience and flood preparedness intention: The mediating roles of perceived severity and susceptibility

Authors

  • Mohd Rozaimy Ridzuan Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka Pahang, Malaysia.
  • Jamal Rizal Razali Centre for Human Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600 Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia.
  • Soon-Yew Ju Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka Pahang, Malaysia.
  • Noor Amira Syazwani Abd Rahman Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka Pahang, Malaysia.
  • Lai Kuan Kong Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss1pp466-490

Abstract

Background and Purpose: In 2021, the state of Pahang had the highest number of flood victims, with 94,865 people affected and 21 fatalities, surpassing all other Malaysian states. Floods exacerbate income disparities, disproportionately impacting the poor rather than the wealthy. The affordability and convenience of flood-prone areas can increase the vulnerability of low-income individuals to flood-related impacts. Therefore, emphasizing the importance of flood preparedness measures becomes crucial, as they can play a role in maintaining the socioeconomic well-being of the nation. This study seeks to investigate how perceived severity and susceptibility mediate the connection between past flood experiences and residents of Pahang's intentions to prepare for floods.

Methodology:  This study employed purposive sampling, exclusively targeting Pahang residents as eligible respondents. An online questionnaire via Google Forms was utilized, with participants informed of the study's purpose and guaranteed anonymity. A total of 216 questionnaires were received; after weeding out duplicates and other non-responses, 200 were considered useable, for a 93% effective rate. The study's hypotheses were tested using SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 4.0 software.

Findings: This study revealed that Pahang residents who had experienced previous floods tended to perceive flood events as more severe and were more likely to believe they were susceptible to future floods. Furthermore, individuals who considered themselves vulnerable to future floods and assessed flood severity as high were more inclined to prepare for such events. It is interesting to note that both perceived severity and perceived susceptibility serve as mediating effects between past flood experiences and the intention to prepare for future floods. This suggests that past flood experiences indirectly influence people's preparedness intentions for future floods by shaping their perceptions of severity and susceptibility.

Contributions: This study contributes theoretically to the body of knowledge by utilizing the SOR model. The results of the present study align with the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model, as they demonstrate how exposure to flooding among people in Pahang has influenced their internal cognitive processes (perceived severity and susceptibility). These, in turn, have shaped their intentions to take preventive measures in the event of future flooding. The results of this study also carry notable practical implications. They suggest that intervention and education programs aimed at increasing flood preparedness should consider individuals' past experiences with floods. Programmes designed to reduce the risk of flooding should also work to increase people's awareness of the dangers they face and the steps they can take to protect themselves from flooding. To better plan for and respond to future flood calamities, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), local authorities, and the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia can all gain a more thorough understanding of these causal relationships. This research can serve as a valuable resource for enhancing their disaster prevention and response programs.

Keywords: Flood preparedness intention, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, socio-economic disparities, SOR model.

Author Biographies

  • Mohd Rozaimy Ridzuan, Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka Pahang, Malaysia.

    Dr. Mohd Rozaimy Ridzuan is a lecturer in public policy at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, Raub Campus. His academic expertise lies in public policy and public administration, with a particular focus on disaster management and environmental policy/administration.

  • Jamal Rizal Razali, Centre for Human Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600 Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia.

    Associate Professor Dr. Jamal Rizal bin Razali holds the position of Associate Professor at the Centre for Human Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA). He is keenly interested in disseminating TRIZ knowledge, particularly to schools and university students.

  • Soon-Yew Ju, Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka Pahang, Malaysia.

    Dr. Ju Soon Yew has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Administration, specializing in researching the environmental conduct of public sector employees. His expertise extends to leadership studies, organizational behavior, and quantitative behavioral analysis.

  • Noor Amira Syazwani Abd Rahman, Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka Pahang, Malaysia.

    Dr. Noor Amira Syazwani Abd Rahman is a lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, UiTM Pahang Branch Raub Campus. Her research focuses on social science and public administration, particularly in the fields of public health and vaccination behavior.

  • Lai Kuan Kong, Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Branch, 26400 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia.

    Dr. Kong Lai Kuan possesses a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the realm of small and medium-sized family businesses. Her focus areas of expertise and research lie in quantitative behavioral studies, small and medium-sized family businesses, and educational research.

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Published

2025-02-28

How to Cite

Investigating the relationship between past flood experience and flood preparedness intention: The mediating roles of perceived severity and susceptibility. (2025). Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS), 10(1), 466-490. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss1pp466-490