These empirical methods for vulnerability estimation are essentially based on the feedback from past earthquakes and a crude appraisal of structural characteristics from rapid visual inspections.
Therefore, one critical area of intervention is the need to assist sex workers to develop accurate means of assessing their personal vulnerability and self-appraisal of HIV-related risk.
31 Therefore, one area of intervention might be activities which develop the accuracy of personal vulnerability and risk self-appraisal.
According to the protection motivation theory, greater perceived vulnerability or susceptibility contributes to a threat appraisal, which, if raised in conjunction with adequate coping appraisal, influences behavioural intention and action positively [ 27, 28].
These appraisals lead to two distinct pathways: positive appraisals relate to emotional robustness, sense of accomplishment, development of skills, sense of identity, and positive outcomes while negative appraisals relate to emotional vulnerability and negative outcomes such as depression.
There is evidence that negative appraisal of life stressors enhances the vulnerability to insomnia [ 14].
When applied to caring, the SE theory suggests that SE might determine carer outcomes by influencing how challenges are perceived (appraisals), coping behaviours (motivation/behaviour) and emotional vulnerability (affective state).
Specifically, SE might promote emotional robustness, positive appraisals (and cognitive processes), reduced emotional vulnerability, and negative states (Au et al., 2010; Haley, Levine, Brown, & Bartolucci, 1987; Rabinowitz et al., 2009).
As trait anxiety also significantly but independently affected impact ratings, this appraisal measure may well probe aspects of vulnerability associated with anxiety.
The theory outlines that a perception of a lack of vulnerability to a disease contributes to a reduced threat appraisal, which results in poorer motivation, and is linked to poorer compliance with advised health protective behaviours.
