Showing papers by "Ziqiang Han published in 2017"

School Bullying in Urban China: Prevalence and Correlation with School Climate

Abstract: School violence and bullying in China is under investigated, though it has become a national concern recently. Using updated national representative survey data collected in 2016 from seven provinces across China, covering students from all pre-college school types (primary, middle, high and vocational schools), this paper analyzes the prevalence of school bullying and the correlation with several school attributes. The incidences of reported bullying, bullying others and witnessing bullying are 26.10%, 9.03% and 28.90%, respectively. Primary school students are more likely to be involved in bullying behaviors. Students from elite schools (leading schools) are also more likely to be involved. Relation with teachers, relation with peers and perceived academic achievement are protective factors. Being a boy is the only significant predictor of school bullying among the family and demographic characteristics used. The results highlight the importance of school climate on preventing school violence and bullying, and a whole-school intervention approach is needed for future intervention.

The effects of trust in government on earthquake survivors’ risk perception and preparedness in China

Abstract: The role of trust in natural hazards risk management has not been widely examined yet. In this paper, the correlation between trust in government and individuals’ risk perception, as well as the perceived preparedness for earthquakes is examined. Survey data from 501 households in a Tibetan area in China affected by the 2010 Yushu earthquake are analyzed. The dependent variables are perceived seismic risk probability and consequences, as well as reported household preparedness for future earthquakes. The main predictor variable is trust in government, while trust in family members, trust in most of people in the society, trust in friends/relatives/colleagues, disaster impact, social support, socioeconomic and demographic variables (income, estimated house value, owned land, number of kids, gender, age, ethnicity, education, job categories, marriage status, political affiliation, religion, rural/urban residence) are used as control variables. Ordinal logistic regression models are employed in the analysis. The results indicate that people with higher degrees of trust in government perceive lower consequences of potential earthquakes and tend to prepare less. In the preparedness model, both perceived probability and consequences are additional strong and significant predictors. Potential theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Natural Hazards Preparedness in Taiwan: A Comparison Between Households With and Without Disabled Members.

Abstract: People with disabilities are one of the most vulnerable groups to natural hazards. Preparedness is critical to protect life and reduce disaster impact. This article discusses the knowledge of the disaster preparedness behaviors of people with disabilities using updated, representative data from Taiwan (2013 Taiwan Social Change Survey), with a comparison to households without disabled members. The adoption of 6 preparedness activities-relocating vehicles or valuable things to a safer place, purchasing insurance, securing furniture, preparing an emergency kit, planning evacuation, and participating in drills-are used separately as dependent variables. The unadjusted results from Logit regression models show that the households with disabled members are less likely to prepare emergency kits and to plan evacuation. But with the adjustment of risk perception (probability, consequence, worrisome) and other factors-experience of earthquake and typhoon hazards, home ownership status, whether there are children in the home, perceived social status, family income, gender, age, education attainment, and religious status-the differences in adopting all 6 preparedness activities between households with disabled members and households without disabled members become nonsignificant. Finally, the contribution, limitations, and practice implications of this article are discussed.

Suicidality associated with PTSD, depression, and disaster recovery status among adult survivors 8 years after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China.

Abstract: It has been eight years since the Wenchuan earthquake. We don't know how the lives of those affected by the disaster may remain blighted by its effects, or how many remain thus affected. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship of disaster exposure, PTSD, depression and suicidal behaviors, using data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in earthquake-affected areas of China. 1369 participants were recruited from two different sites that were severely affected by the Wenchuan earthquake. The survey assessed suicidality (suicidal ideation, plans and attempts) and other mental health issues. Probable PTSD was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) Chinese edition was used to assess depressive symptoms. The results showed that 11.2% of participants felt that their lives had not yet recovered from the effects of the Wenchuan earthquake, even after eight years. Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts were reported by 9.1%, 2.9%, and 3.3%, respectively, of the respondents. PTSD, depression, and perceived non-recovery were highly associated with suicidality. These results indicate that suicidality can be a long-term mental health sequela of disaster. Targeted, long-term suicide prevention programs for adult survivors should be further developed.

Mapping individuals' earthquake preparedness in China

Abstract: . Disaster preparedness is critical for reducing potential impact. This paper contributes to current knowledge of disaster preparedness using representative national sample data from China, which faces high earthquake risks in many areas of the country. The adoption of earthquake preparedness activities by the general public, including five indicators of material preparedness and five indicators of awareness preparedness, were surveyed and 3245 respondents from all 31 provinces of Mainland China participated in the survey. Linear regression models and logit regression models were used to analyze the effects of potential influencing factors. Overall, the preparedness levels are not satisfied, with a material preparation score of 3.02 (1–5), and awareness preparation score of 2.79 (1–5), nationally. Meanwhile, residents from western China, which has higher earthquake risk, have higher degrees of preparedness. The concern for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and the concern for building safety and participation in public affairs are consistent positive predictors of both material and awareness preparedness. The demographic and socioeconomic variables' effects, such as gender, age, education, income, urban/rural division, and building size, vary according to different preparedness activities. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion of the theoretical contribution and potential implementation.

Social trust, neighborhood cohesion, and public trust in the police in China

Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the influences of social trust and neighborhood cohesion on public trust in the police in China. Design/methodology/approach This study used survey data collected from roughly 5,600 respondents by the 2012 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS). Multivariate regression was employed to analyze the effects of two forms of social trust, generalized trust and particularized trust, and three types of neighborhood cohesion, neighbor solidary, support and interaction, on public trust in the Chinese police, controlling for personal background characteristics. Findings Both generalized trust and particularized trust exerted a significant positive effect on trust in the Chinese police. Greater neighborhood cohesion also enhanced public trust in the police. Elderly, women, less educated and people with rural hukou and higher perceived social class were more likely to trust the police. Research limitations/implications The CGSS data contained only a single item that could be used to measure public trust in the police. Future studies should consider using multiple survey items to reflect Chinese people’s trust from different conceptual dimensions, such as procedural- and outcome-based trust and police legitimacy. The CGSS data also did not contain information on some relevant predictors, such as victimization and fear of crime, personal and vicarious contact experiences with the police, and news and social media usage and exposure. Future studies, if possible, should incorporate these theoretically relevant and empirically proven variables into the analysis. Practical implications Improving neighborhood cohesion is a clear path to cultivate stronger public trust in the police. Policy-makers and officials must bring the neighborhood-centered approach back to local governance by working closely with police leaders and other private and parochial social institutions to launch programs that can effectively stabilize and strengthen local communities and actively promoting positive interactions and social bonds among residents. Policies and programs aimed at enhancing public trust in the police should target at younger, better educated and urban Chinese who are more likely to be critical of the police. Originality/value Despite their high relevance, social trust and neighborhood cohesion have received only limited attention in past research on Chinese attitudes toward the police. This study represents one of the first attempts to examine different forms of social trust and neighborhood cohesion on public trust in the police in China.

Social Capital and Changes in Post-Disaster Recovery Process: Observations from China After the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake

Abstract: Disasters shape the development of communities and societies not only physically but also socially. This chapter provides some quantitative evidence to this effect by examining changes in social capital in communities affected by the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake in China. A two-wave, longitudinal household questionnaire survey data set was used for analysis. The baseline data were obtained in January, 2009, around 8 months after the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, adopting a stratified sampling method within a county severely disrupted by the earthquake. A ­follow-up survey with the same households was conducted in the summer of 2012. Finally, 415 household questionnaire surveys from nine communities within the county were collected for analysis. Overall, it can be concluded that social capital was strengthened in the post-disaster recovery process in the survey area. Social capital was measured according to three dimensions: (1) affiliation with organizations, (2) the degree of available social support, and (3) the degree of social cohesion within communities. It was found that the average degree of social capital increased during the recovery process, with a decrease of social capital inequalities between different families. More specifically, although informal personal networks were found to be the most prominent sources of social support, the support provided by formal organizations played a relatively more important role immediately after the catastrophe, given that most of the personal networks were also affected. Community cohesion was also found to have increased, with a decrease of standard deviation in the recovery process. This chapter suggests that disasters could generate positive effects rather than negative ones alone. Stronger and more tightly knit communities could be built in the disaster recovery process, if appropriate policies and methods are implemented.

Recovering from Catastrophic Disaster in Asia

Abstract: Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management provides a series of cross-disciplinary approaches and methods which are exemplified by case studies from different parts of the world. Volume 18 looks at how cities and countries recover from catastrophic disasters with a specific focus on Asia.

Disaster Recovery in Asia: An Introduction

Abstract: This chapter provides the foundation for the book. The objective of this chapter is to outline the theme of the book and to provide the context for the chapters that follow. Disaster recovery is a challenge for governments and for affected communities, families, and individuals. It is a challenge, because recovery from catastrophic disasters can be much more complicated and elusive than what can be addressed by national and international aid organizations given the time and other resources. The short literature review provides the research context, and the overview of the book describes each of the chapters briefly.