Suchergebnisse

International audience This study focuses on the representation of coastal risks (marine erosion and submersion), in a highly topical context relating to global environmental changes, and more specifically on the consequences of the increasing attraction of coastal areas. Through a psycho-socio-environmental approach, we sought to identify how inhabitants of coastal municipalities in a so-called "at risk" area represent the coastal risk of their surroundings. A survey by questionnaire was carried out to compare inhabitants of the risk zone defined in the Risk Prevention Plan – RPP [Plan de Prévention des Risques] with those living outside this zone. The main results reveal that inhabitants are very attached to their living environment, which appears to them to have more advantages than constraints. When asked to describe risks to their town, inhabitants mention coastal risk the most often. A social representation of coastal risks then appears, objectified through marine submersion. This makes it possible to understand the ambivalence of a discourse in which the sea is both a danger and a source of pleasure. These results are discussed in the light of cognitive polyphasia.

Coastal flooding risks are becoming increasingly important because of the increasing vulnerability of coastal territories and the rise of ocean levels in relation to climate change. Studying the adaptation to these phenomena requires taking into account the coping strategies (problem-focused or emotional-focused coping) implemented by the inhabitants of the exposed territories. A theoretical model of situational and dispositional factors determining these strategies has been proposed and tested empirically with 583 inhabitants of the island of Guadeloupe, which is exposed to said coastal flooding risk. The fit index confirms the adequacy of the model. The results indicate that coastal flooding risk perception, difficulties to regulate emotions, and place attachment predict avoidance coping. Vigilant coping is only predicted by perceived action efficiency. The roles of duration of residence and distance from the sea have been highlighted.