Reassessing the Roles of Confidence in Government, Risk Perception and Responsibility Attribution on Flood Preparedness

ABSTRACT The increasing frequency and intensity of floods exacerbated by climate change and rapid urbanization have underscored the need for effective emergency management systems that promote proactive preparedness. Effective flood risk management necessitates shared responsibility for mitigation among various stakeholders, including communities and individuals, whose active participation is vital for reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience. This study examines how confidence in government, risk perception and responsibility attribution shape individuals' flood preparedness behaviours. Using survey data from ( N = 420) respondents in Accra, Ghana, structural equation modelling was employed to test the proposed relationships. The findings reveal that both confidence in government and risk perception serve as strong and significant predictors of individuals' flood preparedness action. In contrast, personal responsibility was not a significant correlation with flood preparedness actions. However, it did positively affect confidence in the government. Government responsibility was significantly and negatively associated with risk perception. Additionally, higher confidence in the government correlated with lower risk perception. Overall, personal responsibility demonstrated mixed effects on flood preparedness, while confidence in government plays a dual mediating role, linking personal responsibility to risk perception and influencing preparedness outcomes. These findings highlight the intricate interdependencies between confidence in government, risk perception and both personal and governmental attribution of responsibility in shaping flood preparedness behaviour. The study underscores the importance of fostering trust in government and ensuring accurate risk communication to enhance flood resilience. It also contributes to the literature on disaster risk reduction and offers practical insights for policy and communication strategies aimed at improving flood preparedness at the community level.