10.4122/1.1000001672
Terpstra, T.
T.
Terpstra
Gutteling, J. M.
J. M.
Gutteling
Geldof, G.D.
G.D.
Geldof
Kappe, B.
B.
Kappe
The perception of flood risk and water nuisance
DTU Library, Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
2005
Conference full text
Risk perception
flooding
water nuisance
questionnaire development
psychometric paradigm
state-trait anxiety inventory
University Of Twente, Communication Science
Communication Science
University Of Twente
Tauw Consultants, Department Of Water
Department Of Water
Tauw Consultants
Province Of Flevoland, Department Of Water
Department Of Water
Province Of Flevoland
2005
en
10.4122/1.1000001671
application/pdf
In this paper we applied the psychometric paradigm to validate a questionnaire that assesses the risk perception characteristics of flooding and water nuisance. The state-trait anxiety inventory was used as a bench mark to determine whether perceptions are related to anxiety characteristics. A focus group was used to further validate the questionnaire. Factor analyses of 49 questionnaires identified eight flooding factors (explained variance: 74%) and three water nuisance factors (explained variance: 62%). Internal consistencies of the obtained scales were moderate to high. Like in the perception of external safety risks, \342\200\230dread\342\200\231 seems to be the most important concept binding different characteristics. Although dread towards both flooding and water nuisance is rather low, it seems more present in the latter case. Furthermore, the extent of dread for water nuisance seems related to someone\342\200\231s state anxiety. In both cases awareness of \342\200\230increasing risks\342\200\231 is clearly present, and we find the characteristics \342\200\230(no) dread\342\200\231, \342\200\230(un)controllable situation\342\200\231 and \342\200\230does not affect me\342\200\231 to be related.