Unraveling the risk perception paradox: How benefits, self-efficacy, and social networks drive farmers' landslide mitigation efforts in Gansu, China

Public participation is crucial in mitigating disasters. Stemming from the ongoing debate on benefit- and risk-driven approaches to landslide mitigation, this study seeks to uncover the factors and underlying mechanisms that affect farmers' willingness to participate in landslide prevention and mitigation (WPLPM). Conducted in Heifangtai, Gansu Province, China, renowned as the "landslide natural laboratory", this research employs multiple linear regression analysis on data from 399 questionnaires to pinpoint the key determinants of farmers' WPLPM. The findings reveal: (1) the "risk perception paradox" exists —farmers have high-risk perception but low WPLPM; (2) the impact of risk perception on WPLPM is tempered by self-efficacy related to fund, learning ability, and operation ability, offering an insight into the "risk perception paradox"; and (3) There are significant positive influences of farmers' benefit perception, social network, and perceived responsibility on their WPLPM. Based on these insights, the study offers targeted policy recommendations.