Development of a scale for measuring psychosocial vulnerability in disaster-prone areas

Disaster vulnerability is a complex concept influenced by both natural forces and societal factors, including psychosocial aspects that shape an individual's resilience to natural hazards. Despite technological advancements, assessing psychosocial vulnerability remains challenging, necessitating specialized scales. This study attempted to develop a psychosocial vulnerability assessment scale, recognizing the intricate interplay of physical, psychological, and social factors. The study was conducted in two disaster-prone wards in Cuttack, India, susceptible to cyclones, earthquakes, and floods. The scale development process involved two stages: instrument design and judgmental evidence. During the instrument design phase, qualitative data on psychosocial vulnerabilities were gathered through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). These insights led to the generation of 44 items, which were subsequently refined to 35 items through expert consultation. The judgmental evidence phase included content validity assessment, internal consistency analysis, and test-retest reliability estimation. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) identified the instrument's factor structure, with items retaining factor loadings exceeding 0.4. Data collection involved 400 individuals selected through multistage sampling, with strict adherence to ethical considerations. Data collected in the initial instrument design stage revealed key psychosocial vulnerability themes. These themes informed the creation of a 35-item scale categorized into three domains: Physical, social, and psychological vulnerability. The instrument underwent rigorous validation processes, demonstrating strong content validity agreement among experts. Internal consistency analysis revealed good reliability, as indicated by the Kuder-Richardson coefficient (KR20 = 0.904). Test-retest reliability further established the stability of responses over time, with an ICC of 0.82. EFA confirmed the scale's three-factor structure, explaining 60 % of the variance. After removing three items with low factor loadings, the scale proved reliable and valid, effectively categorizing vulnerabilities into these distinct domains. The scale developed in this study offers a comprehensive tool for understanding the unique challenges people living in disaster-prone areas face. It addresses the often-overlooked psychosocial components of vulnerability, filling a critical gap in existing research and measurement scales. Its application helps in planning psychosocial interventions and improving disaster risk reduction strategies.