Degree Name

BA

Department

Sociology

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Defense Date

2024-05-29

Publication Date

2024-06-25

First Faculty Advisor

Michael R. Cope

Second Faculty Advisor

Scott Sanders

First Faculty Reader

Carol Ward

Honors Coordinator

Michael R. Cope

Keywords

rural, disaster, trust, preparation, resource adequacy

Abstract

Natural disasters pose significant challenges to communities, affecting lives, properties, and infrastructure unpredictably. Coastal regions, like those in southern Louisiana, are particularly vulnerable due to their exposure to hurricanes, coastal erosion, and other chronic environmental hazards exacerbated by climate change. This study investigates the relationship between trust in government and social entities and perceptions of disaster preparedness among residents of Plaquemines and Lafourche parishes, Louisiana. Drawing on data collected via a multi-mode survey, including measures of trust and perceived preparedness, logistic regression models reveal that trust in information from federal, state, and local governments, as well as from community networks and educational institutions, significantly correlates with perceived readiness and resource adequacy for coping with environmental threats. Findings underscore the pivotal role of trust in enhancing community resilience and preparedness efforts in disaster-prone regions.

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