The Role of Self-Efficacy in Emergency Preparedness: An Empirical Test of an All-Hazards Scale

The negative effects of disasters highlight the importance of effective emergency preparedness and response, of which self-efficacy is a consistent predictor. However, existing preparedness self-efficacy measures are often disaster- or hazard-specific, limiting their use across different disasters. To address this gap, this research presents the development and validation of the Emergency Preparedness Self-Efficacy (EPSE) Scale , an all-hazards measure designed to assess individuals’ belief in their ability to prepare for all types of disasters. The EPSE’s psychometric properties and practical relevance for disaster risk reduction were evaluated across three studies. Study 1 (N = 319 undergraduates) showed the EPSE’s strong internal consistency and evidence of predictive validity for preparedness. Study 2 (N = 324 community adults) replicated these findings, supporting the scale’s generalizability beyond student samples and its use in community-based disaster preparedness. Study 3 (N = 55 undergraduates) provided evidence of the EPSE’s reliability over time. Together, these results support the EPSE as a reliable and valid instrument for assessing preparedness-related self-efficacy across hazard types and populations. The EPSE can also identify gaps in preparedness efficacy, and inform interventions to reduce disaster risk and increase community resilience. Thus, the EPSE provides researchers, practitioners, and policymakers with a comprehensive tool for assessing and improving emergency preparedness.