Investigating the relationship between past flood experience and flood preparedness intention: The mediating roles of perceived severity and susceptibility

Background and Purpose: In 2021, the state of Pahang had the highest number of flood victims, with 94,865 people affected and 21 fatalities, surpassing all other Malaysian states. Floods exacerbate income disparities, disproportionately impacting the poor rather than the wealthy. The affordability and convenience of flood-prone areas can increase the vulnerability of low-income individuals to flood-related impacts. Therefore, emphasizing the importance of flood preparedness measures becomes crucial, as they can play a role in maintaining the socioeconomic well-being of the nation. This study seeks to investigate how perceived severity and susceptibility mediate the connection between past flood experiences and residents of Pahang's intentions to prepare for floods. Methodology: This study employed purposive sampling, exclusively targeting Pahang residents as eligible respondents. An online questionnaire via Google Forms was utilized, with participants informed of the study's purpose and guaranteed anonymity. A total of 216 questionnaires were received; after weeding out duplicates and other non-responses, 200 were considered useable, for a 93% effective rate. The study's hypotheses were tested using SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 4.0 software. Findings: This study revealed that Pahang residents who had experienced previous floods tended to perceive flood events as more severe and were more likely to believe they were susceptible to future floods. Furthermore, individuals who considered themselves vulnerable to future floods and assessed flood severity as high were more inclined to prepare for such events. It is interesting to note that both perceived severity and perceived susceptibility serve as mediating effects between past flood experiences and the intention to prepare for future floods. This suggests that past flood experiences indirectly influence people's preparedness intentions for future floods by shaping their perceptions of severity and susceptibility. Contributions: This study contributes theoretically to the body of knowledge by utilizing the SOR model. The results of the present study align with the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model, as they demonstrate how exposure to flooding among people in Pahang has influenced their internal cognitive processes (perceived severity and susceptibility). These, in turn, have shaped their intentions to take preventive measures in the event of future flooding. The results of this study also carry notable practical implications. They suggest that intervention and education programs aimed at increasing flood preparedness should consider individuals' past experiences with floods. Programmes designed to reduce the risk of flooding should also work to increase people's awareness of the dangers they face and the steps they can take to protect themselves from flooding. To better plan for and respond to future flood calamities, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), local authorities, and the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia can all gain a more thorough understanding of these causal relationships. This research can serve as a valuable resource for enhancing their disaster prevention and response programs. Keywords: Flood preparedness intention, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, socio-economic disparities, SOR model.