RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEMOGRAPHIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND KNOWLEDGE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ON NATURAL DISASTERS

Vladimir M. Cvetković; Jelena Stanišić

doi:10.2298/IJGI1503323C

Authors

Vladimir M. Cvetković The Academy of Criminalistic and Police Studies, Belgrade
Jelena Stanišić Institute for Educational Research, Belgrade

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2298/IJGI1503323C

Keywords:

natural disasters, high schools, knowledge, perception, demographic factors, environmental factors

Abstract

The subject of quantitative research is to examine the connection between demographic (gender, age) and environmental factors (family, school and media) and knowledge and perceptions of students about natural disasters. Bearing in mind the orientation of the research design on determination of character and strength of relationships of demographic and environmental factors with the knowledge and perceptions of students about natural disasters, research has explicative goal. The authors use the method of interviewing high school students to identify demographic and environmental factors associated with the knowledge and perceptions of students about natural disasters. The study included 3,063 students of secondary schools in the city of Belgrade. Results suggest the existence of links between gender, success achieved in school and education of parents and the knowledge of students about natural disasters. The results also indicate that the education of students at school and within family does not affect the knowledge, but affects their perception on natural disasters. Bearing in mind the geographical space of Serbia, the study is based only on the Belgrade region, so the findings can be generalized only to the population of students in this area. Research findings indicate potential ways to influence students to raise level of knowledge about natural disasters to a higher level. Given the evident lack of education about natural disasters in Serbia, the study results can be used for policies of educational programs, which would contribute to improving the safety of youth culture.

Article metrics

References

Adem, Ö. (2011). The Relationship between Earthquake Knowledge and Earthquake Attitudes of Disaster Relief Staffs. Disaster Advances, 4(1), 19–24.

Arya, A. S. (1993). Training and drills for the general public in emergency response to a major earthquake, Training and Education for Improving Earthquake Disaster Management in Developing Counties. UNCRD Meeting Report Series, 57, 103–114.

Becker, J. S., Paton, D., Johnston, D. M., & Ronan, K. R. (2012). A model of household preparedness for earthquakes: how individuals make meaning of earthquake information and how this influences preparedness. Natural Hazards, 64(1), 107–137.

Combs, J. P., Slate, J. R., Moore, G. W., Bustamante, R. M., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Edmonson, S. L. (2010). Gender differences in college preparedness: A statewide study. The Urban Review, 42(5), 441–457.

Cvetković, V. (2013). Spatial and temporal distribution of floods like natural emergency situations. In G. Milošević (Ed.), International scientific conference Archibald Reiss days Belgrade, 2 (pp. 371–389). Belgrade: The Academy of Criminalistic and police.

Cvetković, V. (2014a). Analiza geoprostorne i vremenske distribucije klimatskih katastrofa. U S. Milašinović (Ur.), Tranzicija i ekonomski kriminal (pp. 163–183). Beograd: Kriminalističkopolicijska akademija.

Cvetković, V. (2014b). Geoprostorna i vremenska distribucija vulkanskih erupcija. NBP – Žurnal za kriminalistiku i pravo, 2, 153–171.

Cvetković, V., & Dragicević, S. (2014). Spatial and temporal distribution of natural disasters. Journal of the Geographical Institute Jovan Cvijic, SASA, 64(3), 293–309. doi: 10.2298/ijgi1403293c

Cvetković, V., & Ivanov, A. (2014). Comparative analysis of national strategies for protection and rescue in emergencies in Serbia and Montenegro with emphasis on Croatia. In C. Mojanoski (Ed.), International conference: Macedonia and the Balkans, a hundred years after the world war I - security and euroatlantic integrations (pp. 200–2015). Skopje: Faculty of Security.

Cvetkovic, V., & Mijalković, S. (2013). Spatial and temporal distribution of geophysical disasters. Journal of the Geographical Institute Jovan Cvijic, SASA, 63(3), 345–359. doi: 10.2298/ijgi1303345c

Cvetković, V., & Stojković, D. (2015). Knowledge and perceptions of secondary school students in Kraljevo about natural disasters. Ecologica, 22(77), 205–301.

Cvetković, V., Dragićević, S., Petrović, M., Mijaković, S., Jakovljević, V., & Gačić, J. (2015). Knowledge and perception of secondary school students in Belgrade about earthquakes as natural disasters. Polish Journal of environmental studies, 24(4), 1553–1561. doi 10.15244/pjoes/39702.

Cvetković, V., Ivanov, A., & Sadiyeh, A. (2015). Knowledge and perceptions of students of the Academy of criminalistic and police studies about natural disasters. In D. Kolarić (Ed.), International scientific conference Archibald Reiss days Belgrade (pp. 371–389). Belgrade: The Academy of Criminalistic and police studies.

Drabek, T. E. (1969). Social processes in disaster: Family evacuation. Social problems, 16(3), 336–349.

Dufty, N. (2009). Natural hazards education in Australian schools: How can we make it more effective? The Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 24(2), 13–16.

Durkin, M., Aroni, S., & Coulson, A. (1984). Injuries in the Coalinga earthquake. The Coalinga earthquake of May 2 1983. Oakland, CA: Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.

Edwards, M. L. (1993). Social location and self-protective behavior: Implications for earthquake preparedness. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 11(3), 293–303.

Faupel, C. E., & Styles, S. P. (1993). Disaster education, household preparedness, and stress responses following Hurricane Hugo. Environment and Behavior, 25(2), 228–249.

Faupel, C. E., Kelley, S. P., & Petee, T. (1992). The impact of disaster education on household preparedness for Hurricane Hugo. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 10(1), 5–24.

Finnis, K. K., Johnston, D. M., Ronan, K. R., & White, J. D. (2010). Hazard perceptions and preparedness of Taranaki youth. Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 19(2), 175–184. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09653561011037986

Finnis, K., Johnston, D., Becker, J., Ronan, K., & Paton, D. (2007). School and community-based hazards education and links to disaster-resilient communities. Regional development dialogue, 28(2), 99.

Forsyth, T. (2004). Critical political ecology: The politics of environmental science. New York: Routledge.

Guan, Y., Zheng, F., Zhang, P., & Qin, C. (2015). Spatial and temporal changes of meteorological disasters in China during 1950–2013. Natural Hazards, 75(3), 2607–2623.

Guha-Sapir, D., Hargitt, D., & Hoyois, P. (2004). Thirty years of natural disasters 1974–2003: The numbers. Louvain: Presses universitas.

Haulle, E. (2012). Evaluating earthquake disaster risk management in schools in Rungwe Volcanic Province in Tanzania: original research. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 4(1), 1–7.

Horney, J., Snider, C., Malone, S., Gammons, L., & Ramsey, S. (2008). Factors associated with hurricane preparedness: Results of a pre-hurricane assessment. Journal of Disaster Research, 3(2), 1–7.

Huerta, F., & Horton, R. (1978). Coping behavior of elderly flood victims. The Gerontologist, 18(6), 541-546.

Hurnen, F., & McClure, J. (1997). The effect of increased earthquake knowledge on perceived preventability of earthquake damage. The Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, 1997(3), Retrieved from http://www.massey.ac.nz/~trauma/issues/1997-3/mcclure1.htm

Ikeda, K. (1995). Gender differences in human loss and vulnerability in natural disasters: a case study from Bangladesh. Indian Journal of Gender Studies, 2(2), 171–193.

Ivanov, A., & Cvetković, V. (2014). The role of education in natural disaster risk reduction. Horizons - international scientific journal, 16, 115–131.

Jakovljević, V., Cvetković, V., & Gaćić, J. (2015). Prirodne katastrofe i obrazovanje. Beograd: Fakultet bezbednosti, Univerzitet u Beogradu.

Johnson, R., Johnston, M., & Peters, E. (1989). At a competitive disadvantage? The fate of the elderly in collective flight. The annual meeting of the North Central Sociological Association. OH: Akron.

Johnson, V. A. (2011). Disaster preparedness education in schools: Recommendations for New Zealand and the United States. Wellington, New Zealand: Fulbright.

Johnson, V. A., Ronan, K. R., Johnston, D. M., & Peace, R. (2014). Evaluations of disaster education programs for children: A methodological review. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 9, 107–123. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2014.04.001

Kagawa, F., & Selby, D. (2012). Ready for the Storm: Education for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation1. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 6(2), 207–217.

Kapucu, N. (2008). Culture of preparedness: household disaster preparedness. Disaster Prevention and Management, 17(4), 526–535. doi: 10.1108/09653560810901773

Kirschenbaum, A. (2006). Families and disaster behavior: a reassessment of family preparedness. International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters, 24(1), 111–143.

Kovačević-Majkić, J., Milošević, M. V., Panić, M., Miljanović, D., & Ćalić, J. (2014). Risk education in Serbia. Geografski Zbornik/Acta Geographica Slovenica, 54(1), 163–178.

Kurita, T., Nakamura, A., Kodama, M., & Colombage, S. R. N. (2006). Tsunami public awareness and the disaster management system of Sri Lanka. Disaster Prevention and Management, 15(1), 92–110. doi: 10.1108/09653560610654266.

Lidstone, J. (1996). Disaster education: where we are and where we should be. In J. Lidstone (Ed.) International perspectives on teaching about hazards and disasters (pp. 7-18). GB: Cromwell Press.

Mano-Negrin, R., & Sheaffer, Z. (2004). Are women “cooler” than men during crises? Exploring gender differences in perceiving organisational crisis preparedness proneness. Women in Management Review, 19(2), 109–122.

Mehta, M. (2007). Gender matters: Lessons for disaster risk reduction in South Asia. Katmandu, Nepal: International Centre for Integrated Mouintain Development.

Melick, M. E., & Logue, J. N. (1985). The effect of disaster on the health and well-being of older women. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 21(1), 27–38.

Milošević, V., Kovačević-Majkić, J., & Panić, M. (2012). Prirodne nepogode i nastava geografije u Srbiji-trenutno stanje. Zbornik radova sa naučnog skupa: Problemi i izazovi savremene geografske nauke i nastave (str.161–167). Beograd: Geografski fakultet.

Mishra, S., & Suar, D. (2007). Do lessons people learn determine disaster cognition and preparedness? Psychology & Developing Societies, 19(2), 143–159.

Mishra, S., & Suar, D. (2012). Effects of anxiety, disaster education, and resources on disaster preparedness behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 42(5), 1069–1087.

Mulilis, J. P. (1999). Gender and earthquake preparedness: A research study of gender issues in disaster management: Differences in earthquake preparedness due to traditional stereotyping or cognitive appraisal of threat? Australian Journal of Emergency Management, 10(1), 41–49.

Murphy, R. (1994). Rationality and Nature: A Sociological Inquiry into a Changing Relationship. New York: Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Murrell, S. A., & Norris, F. H. (1984). Resources, life events, and changes in positive affect and depression in older adults. American journal of community psychology, 12(4), 445–464.

Muttarak, R., & Pothisiri, W. (2013). The role of education on disaster preparedness: case study of 2012 Indian Ocean earthquakes on Thailand’s Andaman Coast. Ecology and Society, 18(4), 51–67. http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-06101-180451 .

Myers, M. (1994). “Women and children first” Introducing a gender strategy into disaster

preparedness. Gender & Development, 2(1), 14–16.

Norris, F. H. (1992). Epidemiology of trauma: frequency and impact of different potentially traumatic events on different demographic groups. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60(3), 409–418.

Ozmen, F. (2006). The level of preparedness of the schools for disasters from the aspect of the school principals. Disaster Prevention and Management, 15(3), 383–395. doi: 10.1108/09653560610669873

Panić, M., Kovačević-Majkić, J., Miljanović, D., & Miletić, R. (2013). Importance of natural disaster education-case study of the earthquake near the city of Kraljevo: First results. Journal of the Geographical Institute Jovan Cvijic, SASA, 63(1), 75–88.

Paton, D. (2003). Disaster preparedness: a social-cognitive perspective. Disaster Prevention and Management, 12(3), 210–216. doi: 10.1108/09653560310480686.

Rodríguez, H., Kennedy, P., Quarantelli, E. L., Ressler, E., & Dynes, R. (2009). Handbook of disaster research. Springer Science & Business Media.

Ronan, K. R., & Johnston, D. M. (2003). Hazards education for youth: A quasi‐experimental investigation. Risk Analysis, 23(5), 1009–1020.

Ronan, K. R., Johnston, D. M., Daly, M., & Fairley, R. (2001). School children’s risk perceptions and preparedness: A hazards education survey. Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies, 1. Retrieved from http://www.massey.ac.nz/~trauma/issues/2001-1/ronan.htm

Rüstemli, A., & Karanci, A. N. (1999). Correlates of earthquake cognitions and preparedness behavior in a victimized population. The Journal of Social Psychology, 139(1), 91–101.

Shaw, R., Kobayashi, K. S. H., & Kobayashi, M. (2004). Linking experience, education, perception and earthquake preparedness. Disaster Prevention and Management, 13(1), 39–49. doi: 10.1108/09653560410521689

Shaw, R., Shiwaku, K., & Takeuchi, Y. (2011). Disaster education. United Kingdom: Emerald group publishing limited.

Shiwaku, K., & Fernandez, G. (2011). Roles of school in disaster education. In R. Shaw, K. Shiwaku &Y. Takeuchi (Eds.), Disaster Education (pp. 45–75). Emerald Group Publishing, Bingley.

Shiwaku, K., & Shaw, R. (2008). Proactive co-learning: a new paradigm in disaster education. Disaster Prevention and Management, 17(2), 183–198. doi: 10.1108/09653560810872497

Shiwaku, K., Shaw, R., Chandra Kandel, R., Narayan Shrestha, S., & Mani Dixit, A. (2007). Future perspective of school disaster education in Nepal. Disaster Prevention and Management, 16(4), 576–587.

Stanišić, J., & Maksić, S. (2014). Environmental Education in Serbian Primary Schools: Challenges and Changes in Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Teacher Training. The Journal of Environmental Education, 45(2), 118–131. doi: 10.1080/00958964.2013.829019

Takeuchi, Y., Mulyasari, F., & Shaw, R. (2011). Roles of family and community in disaster education. Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management, 7, 77–94.

Tomio, J., Sato, H., Matsuda, Y., Koga, T., & Mizumura, H. (2014). Household and community disaster preparedness in Japanese provincial city: A population-based household survey. Advances in Anthropology, 4(2), 68–77. doi:10.4236/aa.2014.42010

Vinh Hung, H., Shaw, R., & Kobayashi, M. (2007). Flood risk management for the RUA of Hanoi: importance of community perception of catastrophic flood risk in disaster risk planning. Disaster Prevention and Management 16(2), 245–258.

Vitek, J. D., & Berta, S. M. (1982). Improving perception of and response to natural hazards: the need for local education. Journal of Geography, 81(6), 225–228.

Zhang, Q., Gu, X., Singh, V. P., & Xiao, M. (2014). Flood frequency analysis with consideration of hydrological alterations: Changing properties, causes and implications. Journal of hydrology, 519, 803–813.