Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify and validate the inhibiting and facilitating factors of resilience to natural hazards in the rural areas of the Central District of Ardabil County. By simultaneously focusing on the constraints that undermine resilience and the capacities that strengthen it, this study can assist regional planners in reducing vulnerability and enhancing the coping capacities of rural communities. The statistical population consisted of 86 villages. Based on the village selection criteria, including having more than 20 households and an established village management institution, 64 villages were selected for the study. The measurement instrument was a 43-item questionnaire. Its construct validity was assessed and confirmed using factor analysis, while its reliability was evaluated and confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The findings indicated that the inhibiting factors could be identified and validated across five dimensions—economic, social, physical, psychological, and institutional—while the facilitating factors were identified and validated across six dimensions—economic, social, physical, human, institutional, and environmental.
Materials and Methods: The present study employed a descriptive-analytical and survey-based research design and, in terms of nature, was quantitative and, in terms of purpose, applied. All stages of the research were conducted with precision and in accordance with standard protocols. For sampling, and in line with the objectives and hypotheses of the study, a stratified multistage sampling method was used, and the criterion of the number of households served as the basis for determining the sample size of the villages. According to the classification table, the 64 villages were grouped into five strata ranging from 1 to 999 households. Ultimately, based on the Cochran formula, the sample size was determined to be 360 households out of a total of 5,808 households. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS 25 and SmartPLS 3.3 software.
Results and Discussion: The findings showed that the inhibiting factors of resilience were represented by 18 items across five dimensions: economic, social, physical, psychological, and institutional. The facilitating factors were represented by 44 items across six dimensions: economic, social, physical, human, institutional, and environmental. Among the facilitating factors, the physical dimension had the greatest contribution to explaining resilience, whereas the environmental dimension had the lowest contribution. Comparison of the findings with previous studies also indicated relative consistency in the importance of the social dimension and the comparatively lower position of the institutional dimension, while highlighting the role of spatial differences in shaping the resilience of rural communities. These findings underscore the importance of simultaneously considering the spatial differences among rural settlements and their structural characteristics when developing resilience plans. Furthermore, prioritizing interventions based on the relative influence of the identified dimensions can facilitate the targeted allocation of resources and enhance the effectiveness of preventive measures. In this context, strengthening coordination among local institutions, improving access to essential infrastructure, and raising residents’ awareness and participation can provide a favorable basis for reducing vulnerability and enhancing rural communities’ preparedness for natural hazards.
Conclusion: The overall findings indicate that the resilience of the studied villages is simultaneously influenced by economic, physical, and institutional constraints as well as social, human, and environmental capacities. Therefore, enhancing resilience requires a multidimensional approach that, in addition to reducing economic and institutional constraints, focuses on strengthening physical infrastructure, enhancing social and human capacities, and improving the preparedness of rural communities to cope with natural hazards.