Percepción de riesgo, reacciones emocionales y el impacto del 11-M

Abstract

This study analyses the impact of March 11th events on the emotional reactions, coping patterns, and perceived risk of a sample of the Spanish population. 869 people took part in the study (42,7% completed the questionnaire before, and 57,3% after the attacks). Risk perception, negative emotional intensity, and defensive coping patterns were increased after the attempt. An overestimation of one's personal risk with regard to the actual probability is observed. People living in the area most prone to these attacks (Basque Country) present the lowest perceived probability of being a victim of such an event. Fear reinforces risk perception and leads to the adoption of defensive type strategies, whereas anger is linked to aggressive reactions. Data support that people tend to attribute affective responses and more dysfunctional forms of coping to others to a larger extent than to oneself. Moreover, they perceive that their coping strategies are more normative than those of others. Data confirm the relative independence between direct experience and risk perception. The M-11 attacks have not had a direct effect on the benevolence and confidence that one feels with regard to other people, nor on socio-cultural beliefs either.