The mediating role of security anxiety in internet threat avoidance behavior

Abstract

In the prior technology threat avoidance literature, inconsistent results are found in examining the relationships between individuals’ perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and perceived threat, as well as the intention to avoid security threats. One possible explanation for this paradox is lacking consideration of the role of individuals’ negative emotions while facing threats, which is rarely studied before. Therefore, the current study aims to extend the landscape of technology threat avoidance theory by exploring the role of security anxiety in individuals’ responses to security threats from the Internet. Our results demonstrate that Internet users’ risk aversion is strongly influenced by their perception of security threats, response efficacy, and security self-efficacy within the online environment. Also, our results indicate that individuals’ security anxiety can partially mediate the relationship between perceived threat and Internet threat avoidance behavior.