A person-relative-to-event (PrE) approach to negative threat appeals and earthquake preparedness: A field study

The person-relative-to-event (PrE) model of fear-arousing or negative threa t appeals predicts that increasing levels of threat when resources are appr aised as sufficient relative to the magnitude of the threat will increase p roblem-focused coping. Conversely, increasing levels of threat when resourc es are appraised as insufficient relative to threat magnitude will decrease problem-focused coping. These hypotheses were tested in the context of a f ield study in which homeowners living in a local city were the participants . Results generally supported the PrE model in that preparedness increased over a I-month period as level of appraised threat increased, but only for those who also appraised resources as sufficient relative to threat. The po ssibility that perceived difficulty of preparation for a threatening event should be added to the PrE model as an essential component is discussed.