Cognitive Factors Affecting Homeowners' Reactions to Defensible Space in the Oregon Coast Range

Abstract

This study used constructs from the theory of planned behavior and protection motivation theory, along with past experience, to predict wildland-interface homeowners' willingness to implement defensible space and their interest in a consultation program aimed at reducing their risk from wildfire. Self-administered surveys (n = 112) from four small Oregon Coast Range communities revealed neutral attitudes about defensible space as a whole. Regression analysis revealed that interest in the consultation program was a function of the perceived effectiveness of defensible space, past experience with fire, and perception of wildfire risk. Willingness to implement defensible space was predicted by the perceived effectiveness of and attitude toward defensible space. However, these two models left much of the variation in behavioral intention unexplained. Results demonstrate the value of integrating different cognitive constructs to predict behavioral intentions. They also highlight potential avenues for communication campaigns to increase homeowners' involvement in protecting themselves from wildfire.

Keywords:

• attitudes
• natural hazards
• protection motivation theory
• risk perception
• theory of planned behavior
• wildfire mitigation
• wildland–urban interface

This study is based on the Masters of Science thesis of Megan Slothower while a student at the University of Idaho. The Bureau of Land Management provided valuable assistance in this project.

The editorial duties for this article were handled by Matthew S. Carroll. It was submitted, reviewed, and accepted before Troy E. Hall was named co-editor.

Notes

^a 1 = Strongly agree, 7 = strongly disagree.

^b 1, 2, or 3 on 7-point scale.

^c 5, 6, or 7 on 7-point scale.

^a 7-point semantic differential scales: 1 = extremely; 7 = not at all.

Note. Significance indicated by ∗p < .05 and ∗∗p < .005.

Note that the term “severity” in the PMT has a specific definition, regarding the personal repercussions of experiencing a hazard. This differs from the way “severity” is used to describe wildfires in the fire management community.