Factors Influencing the Flood-Risk Cognition of Peasant Households Based on Structural Equation Models: A Case Study of Rural Areas in Southwestern China

Against the backdrop of recurrent flood hazards, flood-risk cognition has become an important factor influencing disaster prevention decisions. The flood-risk cognition level of peasant households is related to rural sustainable development and land use patterns in the corresponding region. In this study, a structural equation model (SEM)-based empirical analysis of the flood-risk cognition features and the influencing factors was carried out based on survey data obtained from 685 peasant households with flood threats in southwestern China. The results showed the following: (1) The overall flood-risk cognition of these households was moderate to high. Although 70.22% of the respondents showed a positive attitude toward flood prevention, their pre-disaster preparedness awareness remained insufficient. (2) Pre-disaster preparedness awareness, in-disaster response awareness, and post-disaster restoration awareness had significant positive effects on flood-risk cognition. Specifically, post-disaster restoration awareness mediated the effect of disaster response awareness on flood-risk cognition, disaster response awareness mediated the effect of pre-disaster preparedness awareness on flood-risk cognition, and pre-disaster preparedness awareness moderated the relationship between post-disaster restoration awareness and flood-risk cognition. (3) Clarity of defence knowledge, familiarity with secondary disasters of floods, willingness to evacuate under flood threats, self-ability to solve life difficulties, and mitigation attitudes were important factors influencing flood-risk cognition. (4) Female households outperformed males in flood-risk cognition, and households in Jingyang District showed optimal flood-risk cognition. These findings are significant for the promotion of education regarding disaster prevention and for optimising risk assurance policies in rural areas in southwestern China.