Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Eric J. Youn

Abstract

Since 2001, terrorist incidents in Thailand have caused more than 6,600 deaths and nearly 13,000 people have been injured. The Thai government has employed various counterterrorism measures, but there is little attention paid to terrorism awareness and preparedness. Following the tenets of social cognitive theory, the purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the predictive relationship between the risk perception of terrorism (i.e., perceived probability, perceived seriousness, perceived impact, perceived coping efficacy, perceived government preparedness, and perceived frontline responder preparedness) and individual preparedness among Thai people. The study was conducted with a convenience sample of 327 Thai adults who are 20 years old or older and reside in Thailand. Data were collected using an online survey. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the 6 risk perception variables and individual preparedness. Results of the study revealed that perceived probability of terrorism, perceived coping efficacy, and perceived frontline responder preparedness were significant predictors of individual preparedness. However, the perceived seriousness of terrorism, perceived impact, and perceived government preparedness were not statistically associated with individual preparedness. The study contributes to social change by increasing awareness of terrorism and preparedness among Thai people. It also provides policymakers with new perspectives on terrorism preparedness and ideas for improving counterterrorism policies and risk communication strategies. Knowledge from the study adds to the literature on terrorism awareness, preparedness, and prevention in Thailand.

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