Individual Earthquake Preparedness of Residents in Istanbul: Social and Cognitive Determinants

This study aims to identify the social and cognitive factors that influence individual-level earthquake preparedness among Istanbul residents by using an extended model that incorporates earthquake risk perception within the framework of social cognitive theory (SCT). A survey of 411 participants was conducted, and data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings strongly support the SCT assertions, revealing that social factors (such as social trust and subjective norms) and cognitive factors (including outcome expectations and self-efficacy) are key predictors of earthquake risk perception. However, earthquake preparedness behavior was found to be more closely associated with cognitive factors, particularly self-efficacy and risk perception, with subjective norms being the only social factor influencing preparedness behavior. These results that policymakers and practitioners should focus on disaster education, awareness, and participation to promote individual preparedness and mitigate disaster risk.