Disaster Readiness Among University Students: The Role of Volunteer Motivation and Risk Perception Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Afetlere Hazırbulunuşluk: Gönüllülük Motivasyonu ve Risk Algısı
Journal of Disaster and Risk, cilt.2026, sa.22, 2026 (Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 2026 Sayı: 22
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.35341/afet.1679778
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Disaster and Risk
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Readiness, Risk Perception, University Students, Volunteering
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
University students represent a strategic human resource for enhancing community resilience, yet the factors driving their disaster preparedness remain underexplored. This study investigates the influence of volunteer motivation and disaster risk perception on preparedness levels among this population. Employing a quantitative, cross-sectional design, the research surveyed 381 students enrolled at a Turkish public university using the Volunteer Functions Inventory, Disaster Risk Perception Scale, and Disaster Preparedness Scale. Pearson correlation analyses confirmed positive, statistically significant associations between disaster preparedness and both disaster risk perception (r = .399, p < .001) and volunteer motivation (r = .287, p < .001). Additionally, a moderate positive correlation emerged between risk perception and volunteer motivation (r = .390, p < .001). A multiple regression model identified risk perception (β = .322) and volunteer motivation (β = .169) as significant independent predictors of preparedness, collectively explaining 19.7% of the variance in preparedness outcomes (F(6, 374) = 15.32, p < .001). Notably, after applying a Holm-Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons in independent t-tests, only prior drill participation demonstrated a significant effect on disaster risk perception (d = 0.559, 95% CI [0.35, 0.77]). These findings underscore that psychological factors—specifically motivation and risk perception—are critical determinants of disaster preparedness. However, the influence of demographic variables appears less robust under stringent statistical correction. Interventions should prioritize enhancing risk awareness and fostering volunteerism among university students.