Sex differences in informational needs and media dependencies during the 2018 California wildfires.

Previous research has suggested that men and women differ in a number of crisis-related behaviors including information-seeking behavior and media dependencies. The 2018 California wildfires provided a context where demographic differences are largely unexplored, as most prior emergency communication research has focused on slower moving events such as hurricanes and storm surges. Participants were identified based on their residence in areas affected by the Camp and Woolsey fires (N = 363).

Exploring sex differences in information needs, media dependencies, and attention allocation during Hurricane Dorian.

In September 2019, Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas and the southeast United States, resulting in widespread damage and loss of life. Drawing from previous crisis communication research on both natural and man-made disasters, this study examines information seeking and medium preferences, attention allocation, and sex differences in these outcomes. Extant literature has found differences between men and women in terms of the volume and types of information wanted during a crisis event, as well as preferences for different media in times of crisis.

Ready in the face of danger? Investigating preparation, mitigation, and media dependencies amongst those affected by the 2018 California Wildfires.

The current study analyzes information-seeking tendencies, preparation, and mitigation behavior among those impacted by the 2018 Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire in California. Similar to previous work, results suggest that socio-economic status was a strong positive predictor of having an emergency kit and evacuation plan in place. The internet and television were the two preferred sources of information, while the relative lack of importance of radio, inter-personal communication, and social media runs counter to past research in the area.

Twitter weather warnings: Communicating risk in 140 characters-the impact of imperative and declarative message style on weather risk perception and behavioral intentions.

Understanding how individuals utilize risk messages is important for protecting lives and gaining compliance toward safe behaviors. Recent advances in technology afford users with timeliness when needing to acquire information, and research investigating imperative and declarative message styles suggests utilizing both strategies is most effective. Similarly, the element of time can play a role when an individual engages in certain behaviors.

Communicating risks: examining hazard and outrage in multiple contexts.

This article examines the heuristic value of a model of risk communication outlined by Peter Sandman. It tests and expands the proposed constructs and seeks to establish a measurement model. Results in the first laboratory study indicated congruence between the model and data, while the second demonstrated the capacity for manipulation of the constructs.

Media use and information needs of the disabled during a natural disaster.

This study examined differences in evacuation, crisis preparation, information-seeking patterns, and media use among the communities of disabled and non-disabled evacuees in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Surveys were collected from 554 Katrina evacuees temporarily relocated in different areas of the United States. Results indicate differences in crisis preparation and evacuation plans, with disabled subpopulations being more likely to prepare emergency supplies but less likely to have an evacuation plan.