Earthquake safety culture scale development study

Tercan B., Çelik İ. H., Yılmaz G., Usta G.

NATURAL HAZARDS, vol.122, no.67, pp.1-17, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 122 Issue: 67
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s11069-025-07861-5
  • Journal Name: NATURAL HAZARDS
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), IBZ Online, Environment Index, Geobase, INSPEC
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-17
  • Erzincan Binali Yildirim University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Earthquakes have been one of the most significant natural hazards threatening humanity

throughout history. In this study, we aimed to develop an earthquake safety culture scale to

psychometrically measure individuals' attitudes and behaviors regarding their personal life

safety before and after an earthquake. During the scale development phase, two different

surveys were administered for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor

analysis (CFA). The study population consisted of individuals aged 18 and over living

in Türkiye. 445 Individuals participated in the EFA and 309 in the CFA. The earthquake

safety culture scale, a two-factor structure ("pre-earthquake" and "during and after earthquake"),

yielded highly reliable and valid results. It is believed that the resulting scale will

contribute to disaster managers in the process of building an earthquake-resilient society,

as well as to local and national disaster management policies such as training, awareness,

planning, and exercises for community-supported disaster management. It is recommended

that this developed scale be retested in different cultures and its relationship with

various variables that may influence "pre-earthquake" and "during and after earthquake"

attitudes regarding disaster management be investigated.