Deciphering the Flood Puzzle of Community Participation, Attitudes, and Flood Preparedness Intention Through the Lens of SOR Theory

Abstract

Climate change exacerbates the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, including floods, through alterations in precipitation patterns, sea level rise, and increased extreme weather events. In Malaysia, Pahang is one of the states particularly susceptible to the amplified impact of climate change on floods. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and sea level rise pose significant threats to the state's vulnerability to catastrophic inundations. Investigating the factors that influence flood preparedness intention among residents is urgently needed to develop targeted and effective strategies that enhance community resilience, mitigate the impact of climate-induced disasters, and ensure the safety and well-being of the population in the face of escalating environmental challenges. By utilising the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) theory, this study aimed to examine the mediating effect of attitude toward flood preparedness on the relationship between community participation and flood preparedness intentions. This purposive study collected data from 200 Pahang residents. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Smart Partial Least Squares (SmartPLS) version 4 were employed to test four hypotheses of the study. This study revealed that community participation does not have a positive relationship with flood preparedness intention. However, community participation was positively associated with attitudes toward flood preparedness. Additionally, attitudes were found to be positively associated with flood preparedness intention. Furthermore, the study found that attitudes positively mediate the relationship between community participation and flood preparedness intention. Significantly, this study contributes theoretically and practically to the field of disaster management by providing insights into the intricate dynamics of community participation, attitude towards flood preparedness, and flood preparedness intention. Thus, it informs the development of targeted interventions that foster a resilient and prepared community in the face of escalating climate-related challenges in Pahang and similar regions.