The impact of earthquakes on residential wellbeing

Abstract

In the Netherlands, the extraction of natural gas from the ground has led to soil subsidence and the occurrence of earthquakes. These earthquakes cause physical damage to buildings and also lead to psychological problems and decreased housing satisfaction. Research on the impact of natural hazards has shown that there is a complicated relationship between perceived risk, place attachment and coping behaviour. The current study provides further insight into this relationship. The research questions are the following:
1) What is the relationship between place attachment and risk perception?
2) What is the relationship between risk perception and the intention to move?
3) Is the relationship between risk perception and intention to move influenced by place attachment?
4) What is the role of psychological distress in the interaction between place attachment, risk perception and the intention to move?
The results show that, in general, (1) residents with the highest level of attachment show the highest mean risk perception. Furthermore, (2) residents with a higher risk perception more frequently indicate that they intend to move. Moreover (3), there is an interaction between place attachment, perceived risk and the intention to move. Strongly attached residents show a high level of risk perception, but are less willing to move. Finally, (4) this finding cannot be explained by a low level of psychological distress in strongly attached residents as their level of psychological distress is relatively high.