From Wallets to Warnings: The Impact of Disaster Loss Severity and Types on Public Disaster Protective Actions

Pre-disaster protective actions play a crucial role in mitigating disaster risks and enhancing resilience. Using data from Taiwan, China, this study examines how the degree and type of disaster-induced damages influence protective actions. The findings reveal the following: (1) The extent of disaster damage, rather than merely experiencing a disaster, motivates individuals to engage in protective actions. (2) Economic and financial losses are the primary drivers of public protective actions, compared to other types of losses. (3) The study distinguishes between binary variables (the presence or absence of protective actions) and continuous variables (degree of preparedness) to assess the varying impacts of different factors. Risk perception is found to mediate the relationship between disaster damage and both the presence and extent of protective actions. Meanwhile, resilience only moderates the relationship between risk perception and the presence or absence of protective actions. (4) Information sources and perceptions of government authority significantly influence both the likelihood and extent of protective actions. However, trust in government and social capital do not exert any influence in this regard. This study advocates for targeted interventions for individuals severely affected by disaster-related financial losses and emphasizes the need to enhance protective actions through diverse information channels.