Exploring attribution of responsibility for visitor safety in a US national park

Abstract

Attracting millions of visitors each year, US national parks represent one context in which unintentional injuries are recurrent and fatal. Given unique environmental and infrastructural risks, as well as varied recreational opportunities and social contexts, who is perceived as responsible for preventing visitor injuries, and how might this relate to risk perception? Further, how does attribution of responsibility relate to support for preventative risk management? Limited research has considered these questions yet increasing promotion of parks to diverse audiences suggests a need to build public support for risk management. Using quantitative and qualitative survey data, this study found that most visitors perceived themselves as responsible for their own safety, and perceptions of the uncontrollability of risks were positively related to these attributions; however, attribution failed to predict support for preventative risk management. Significant predictors included perceptions of risk, participation in high-risk activities, and travelling companions. Future directions for this research, including the role of voluntary risk-taking in recreational settings, are discussed.

Keywords:

• public health
• risk
• risk management
• risk perception
• risk communication

Notes

1. The first author left the park in mid-August 2009; subsequently, National Park Service employees mailed completed sign-up sheets. Some sign-up sheets were not mailed until the closure of the park's campgrounds in late September, resulting in a lag between visits and survey completion.

2. The National Park Service does not currently collect data on visitor race/ethnicity.