Knowledge, Warning, and Stress

Abstract

A field study investigated the role of knowledge, experience, and warning in medi-ating the stress associated with urban flooding. Among residents of an urban floodplain, knowledge about flooding was associated with less trauma during the last flood and reluctance to support indiscriminate government intervention. Increased prior warning of a flood, however, was related to intensified residual fear and feelings of desperation, to more frequent somatic manifestations of stress, and to greater support for all government intervention programs. Previous flood experience (especially recurring experience) was associated with increased fear, depression, and health-stress outcomes. Commitment to adaptive community intervention programs was related to recency of one's flood experience. Having flood insurance was unrelated to stress measures.