2026 年 35 巻 2-3 号 p. 2-3_21-28
Although disaster education in Japan has gained increasing emphasis in recent years, its practical implementation—particularly at the high school level—remains limited and fragmented. This study investigates the potential relationship between individuals’ effective attitudes toward nature and their Disaster Prevention and Risk Consciousness (DPRC), with a specific focus on whether such attitudes may function as psychological determinants of disaster-related behavioral intentions.
A questionnaire survey was conducted with 524 respondents, comprising high school students, university students, and working adults. Attitudes towards nature were assessed using the Symbiotic Values with Nature Scale and the Feelings Toward Nature Scale, while DPRC were measured using the Scale for Disaster-Prevention Consciousness. Bayesian factor analysis was employed to evaluate the strength of evidence supporting the hypotheses. The analysis yielded substantial to decisive evidence supporting a positive association between effective attitudes towards nature and DPRC. Furthermore, participants with prior experience in disaster drills or educational programs demonstrated higher levels of DPRC. In contrast, no substantial differences in DPRC were observed with respect to gender identity or the completion of the newly mandated Geography curriculum.
These findings suggest that effective engagement with nature may play a meaningful role in shaping disaster awareness. The results underscore the potential value of integrating environmental and emotional dimensions into disaster education. Further empirical research is warranted to examine whether changes in nature-related attitudes—cultivated through experiential programs—can independently enhance DPRC, even in the absence of explicit disaster-related instruction.
