“Here, I will stay until I die”—exploring the relationship between place attachment, risk perception, and coping behavior in two small Norwegian communities

Abstract

This empirical study explores the interplay between place attachment, risk perception, and coping behavior, within two small Norwegian communities exposed to flash flooding. Through a mixed-methods narrative approach, we found that most of our respondents exhibited positive attachment to their communities, aligning with previous studies in rural settings. Using a conceptual model of place attachment (Raymond et al. 2010), the study identified five dimensions of attachment among the respondents: place identity, place dependency, family bonding, friend bonding, and nature bonding. The most dominant narratives centered around practical ties to the area through family and place dependency, combined with symbolic attachments in the form of nature and identity. Place attachment through generational ties, closeness to nature, and access to historical knowledge influenced residents’ risk perception, here displayed as heightened awareness of flash flood-related risks. This risk awareness did however not translate directly into feeling at risk. Findings point to residents’ underestimating risk close to home, which could partially be explained by strong place attachment. Coping behavior was mainly motivated by previous hazard experiences. Place dependency and family bonding contribute to explaining the resident’s reluctancy to relocate as a coping strategy. We found that place attachment can act as both a mediator and a moderator between risk perception and coping behavior, and the relationship between place attachment, risk perception, and coping behavior is complex. While no clear causal relationship was established, understanding common elements in risk narratives can enhance community resilience and inform strategies to address community concerns.