Empowering Resilience: Factors Influencing Community Willingness in Disaster Training Initiatives

Abstract

Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM) emphasizes the centrality of local participation in efforts to build resilience and reduce disaster risks. While the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 advocates inclusive and community-driven preparedness strategies, empirical research on the determinants of an individual’s willingness to engage in disaster management training remains underdeveloped. This study addressed this gap by examining the willingness of community members to participate in disaster preparedness programs, as well as identifying the socio-demographic and psychosocial factors that influence this willingness. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study conceptualized willingness as an element shaped by the attitude toward disaster preparedness, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Variables such as age, gender, income, and education were investigated as moderating factors. Findings suggest that higher educational attainment is associated with greater awareness and readiness to engage in training, while older age groups tend to demonstrate stronger participation, possibly due to enhanced life experiences and risk perception. This study contributes theoretically and practically by integrating behavioral insight with disaster policy frameworks. It offers evidence-based recommendations for designing targeted and culturally appropriate training programs that create proactive community engagement and advance the Sendai Framework’s objectives.