RISK PERCEPTION, STRESS AND COPING STRATEGIES IN TWO CATASTROPHE RISK SITUATIONS

This study examined the influence of risk perception on stress reactions and coping strategies in 191 Mexican people who had experienced a catastrophe either natural (SR group) or industrial (IR group), and who are still exposed to the same kind of risks. Results showed that for the IR group and for people who rank industrial risks as the highest priority, from among a list of risks, the stress levels were higher and coping strategies were passive. There were significant correlations between feelings of insecurity and both stress level and passive coping strategies. The results demonstrate that risk perception is an important variable influencing both stress and coping responses in a catastrophe risk situation.