Determining whether variations in geographical proximity influence disaster-type helping behaviors, as measured by participant self-report

Various models have been created to explain the presence and absence of helping behavior subsequent to disasters. Yet, these theories have focused primarily upon the possible motivations underlying this behavior. Investigations that might describe patterns of observed helping behavior have been significantly underrepresented. In particular, studies that would examine differences in geographical proximity have been nearly excluded from the general literature. The present study sought to determine whether varying an individual's geographical proximity to a disaster would affect that individual's likelihood to help subsequent to a disaster. To measure the potential influence of variations in geographical proximity, participants were asked questions about past disaster-type helping behavior. These questions were varied primarily according to local, domestic, and international differences in geographical proximity. As expected, results showed that variations in geographical proximity influence disaster-type helping behavior. In particular, participants were more likely to have reported helping subsequent to a local disaster than to a domestic or international disaster. They were also more likely to have reported helping following a domestic disaster than to an international disaster. Additionally, the study found that participants reported "brief/low-level activity response" helping behaviors twice as frequently as they reported "prolonged/high-level activity response" helping behaviors. Directions for social psychology research are discussed and practical suggestions are offered for organizations that recruit volunteers or donations. Public health implications for trauma prevention are proposed. Finally, directions for more comprehensive research are discussed.