Household preparedness campaigns during times of uncertainty engage – but not everyone
Many citizens listen, show interest, and engage in household preparedness in line with the state's recommendations – but not everyone follows authorities blindly. Engagement reflects classic divides related to social background, as well as levels of political involvement, trust in others, and confidence in public authorities.
In recent years, efforts to inform and motivate the Swedish population toward household preparedness have intensified. But which citizens actually engage and choose to listen to government campaigns?
The findings presented in this chapter of the national SOM survey show that many do listen, show interest, and engage in line with the state's expectations. However, not all citizens follow government guidance unquestioningly – at least not when it comes to strengthening their own physical preparedness at home.
When it comes to levels of engagement among different groups, classic divides remain – and may even be deepening. These divides relate to social background but are also influenced by factors such as political engagement, trust in others, and confidence in public authorities.
Those individuals who are often assumed to be better equipped to cope with societal crises without public assistance are also the ones showing comparatively higher levels of engagement in the state’s household preparedness discourse during times of crisis and uncertainty.
Eriksson, M. & Denk, T. (2024). Medborgarengagemang i hemberedskap i kampanj- och kristider. I: Ulrika Andersson; Björn Rönnerstrand; Anders Carlander, Inferno (ss. 133–148). Göteborg: SOM-institutet.
In the wake of a deteriorating security situation, an increasing number of citizens have sought out household preparedness courses and engaged in discussions about preparedness on social media. An ethnographically inspired study examines how these engaged citizens perceive societal vulnerabilities and questions of responsibility during crises, and how their commitment to household preparedness is further shaped by courses and social media interactions.
The study’s findings can serve as a basis for discussion in the design of future educational, communication, and campaign activities related to household and individual preparedness.
Eriksson, M. & Stenersen, J. (2024). En studie av hemberedskapsengagemang i kampanj- och kristider. Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap/Örebro universitet [Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency/Örebro University] (DURCOM Arbetsrapport 3) [DURCOM Working Report 3].
See the related project report: Nya förutsättningar för hemberedskapskampanjer?.. Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap (MSB) [Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency].