Natural Disaster Experience, Psychosocial Mediators, and Perceived Preparedness Among Older Adults in the United States

As climate-driven disasters intensify, older adults face greater risks due to physical, cognitive, and social vulnerabilities. Using FEMA’s 2023 National Household Survey ( N = 2,225), this study examined associations between disaster experience, psychosocial mediators, and perceived disaster preparedness among U.S. older adults. Path analysis revealed that disaster experience was associated with higher perceived preparedness directly and indirectly. Among BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) older adults, perceived preparedness was shaped by self-efficacy (B = 0.11, p < .01), information seeking (B = 0.07, p < .05), and perceived local disaster risk (B = 0.07, p < .05). Among non-BIPOC older adults, indirect effects on perceived preparedness were found for self-efficacy (B = 0.15, p < .001) and information seeking (B = 0.10, p < .001) but not perceived local disaster risk. Findings underscore equitable, age-friendly strategies that strengthen confidence, information access, and risk awareness among diverse older adults.