Investigating factors influencing the donation intentions and volunteering intentions for the 2023 Turkey earthquake victims.

Abstract

The 2023 Turkey earthquake, one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history, highlighted the need to understand factors driving public support. This study aimed to explore the determinants of donation and volunteer intentions for earthquake victims by integrating Protection Motivation Theory and the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior. Using a convenience sampling approach, an online questionnaire with 76 items was distributed to 509 voluntary respondents. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that past earthquake experience significantly enhanced understanding of the 2023 Turkey earthquake, which subsequently increased perceived vulnerability and severity. These perceptions influenced perceived behavioral control, which strongly predicted intentions to donate and volunteer. The media played a critical role in shaping attitudes, while religious influence and financial capacity impacted subjective norms, both of which further contributed to these intentions. Notably, people demonstrated a stronger inclination to donate than to engage in volunteer activities. As one of the first studies focusing on the 2023 Turkey earthquake, this research provides crucial insights into the factors motivating public engagement during natural disasters. The proposed framework offers valuable guidance for enhancing donation and volunteer participation in future disaster relief efforts, ultimately fostering more effective public support.