Factors That Influence Disaster Preparedness: Q&A with Jeesoo Jung
ALBANY, N.Y. (March 6, 2025) – Jeesoo Jung, a PhD student in the School of Social Welfare at UAlbany’s College of Integrated Health Sciences, recently published an article in the British Journal of Social Work that assessed factors that influence how likely individuals are to prepare for disasters, including pandemics and natural disasters like hurricanes.
Experiencing a disaster can greatly impact individuals, families, and communities. Those who have experienced a disaster may struggle with financial setbacks, emotional turmoil, feelings of being out of control, and stress about future disasters.
Here, Jung discusses her research— which includes how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced motivations to prepare for future disasters— along with how disaster preparedness relates to social work.
Why were you interested in researching factors that influence disaster preparedness?
“My interest stems from my experiences in South Korea, Japan, and the U.S., where I studied disaster management and worked with diverse communities. I observed that social workers, despite their role in community resilience, were often overlooked in preparedness efforts. During my PhD at UAlbany, I discussed this gap with my mentor, Dr. Loretta Pyles, and we explored how past disaster experiences shape preparedness motivation and how social work can strengthen this process.”
How did the COVID-19 pandemic influence people’s perceptions of risk and preparedness in ways that might differ from past disasters, like hurricanes or earthquakes?
“The COVID-19 pandemic uniquely influenced risk perception and preparedness due to its global scale, prolonged uncertainty, reliance on public health measures, and disparities in preparedness linked to pre-existing vulnerabilities (e.g., health and mental health, resource availability, and device access and technology use). It required continuous adaptation, exposing systemic challenges in healthcare, technology access, and policy coordination. My study using FEMA’s 2021 data found that people who experienced COVID-19 were more likely to prepare for future disasters, compared to those who faced natural or technological disasters.”
Based on your research, what characteristics made people more likely to prepare for disasters?
“My research suggests that previous disaster experience and perceived risk are key drivers of preparedness. However, individuals who faced technological disasters were less likely to prepare, possibly due to a lack of perceived control over such events. Additionally, preparedness varies by age, race/ethnicity, education level, income, and disability status, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce disparities.”
What do people who are more proactive do to prepare?
“Proactive individuals assess their level of preparedness and risks and take action accordingly. Those with a high perception of disaster risk develop emergency response plans, stockpile supplies, and stay informed through disaster alerts and community networks.”
How do you think communities can better support collective preparedness efforts, and how does your research inform that?
“Strengthening local networks, increasing resource accessibility, and fostering disaster education are key. My work highlights the need for inclusive policies that address systemic barriers to preparedness, particularly for underserved communities. Many historically marginalized groups face greater structural challenges in disaster readiness. Social workers, governments, nonprofit organizations, health professionals, and researchers must collaborate to ensure resources reach affected populations effectively and develop comprehensive strategies.”
What can social workers do to help promote being ready for disasters?
“Social workers play a unique role by connecting affected populations to resources, advocating for inclusive disaster policies, and educating communities on preparedness strategies. Strengths-based and anti-oppressive approaches allow social workers to better support affected communities while leveraging local resources. We can also promote trauma-informed and culturally responsive interventions to address the psychological impact of past experiences.”
What kind of future research or studies would you like to see conducted to further our understanding of disaster preparedness and risk perceptions?
“Future research should include longitudinal studies to track how disaster preparedness motivation evolves over time and its effect on recovery and resilience. Additionally, intersectional analyses on race/ethnicity, gender diversity, disability status, poverty, and geographic disparities can help identify gaps and effective prevention strategies. Evaluating community-based preparedness programs would also clarify the role of social workers in disaster resilience.”