Place Attachment , Civic Engagement and Risk Preparedness (A case study of Bagmisheh, Tabriz)

The present descriptive-correlational study aimed to investigate the relationship of place attachment and civic engagement with risk preparation. Covariance matrix based on structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The study population included all residents of Baghmisheh having 18 years of age or over. According to Morgan's table, 381 participants were selected by cluster sampling method, but the information of 364 people was finally analyzed due to the distorted information of some respondents. The theoretical literature used in the present study was mainly based on the theories of environmental psychology, social participation, and civic institutions. In order to collect information, a standard questionnaire was administered. Construct validity of the questionnaire and internal consistency of its items were corroborated using confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha test, respectively. The residents were at a moderate level of place attachment (mean score = 6.53 out of 10), but their civic engagement was at a relatively desirable level (means core =12.43 out of 15). Based on the findings, different dimensions of risk preparedness had a significant relationship with place attachment and civic engagement. As the structural equation modeling indicated, place attachment and civic engagement could significantly predict the variations in risk preparedness variable. Moreover, the place attachment variable had a significant effect on civic engagement. Despite the respondents' relatively high scores in cognitive preparedness, their scores were not desirable in behavioral and material preparedness, so that a significant gap was observed in the knowledge and behavior of citizens.was observed in the knowledge and behavior of citizens.