Denial Of Risk Research Articles

Examining the educational experiences of Behvarzes from the insufficient participation of some people in preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic: a lesson for the future

BackgroundThis study aims to explore the experiences of Behvarzes regarding the reasons behind the insufficient participation of some individuals with the preventive protocols established during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted from July 2021 to December 2022 using the conventional content analysis method. Purposive sampling was employed to select 14 Behvarzes working in villages covered by Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth individual interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis.ResultsThe study identified seven subcategories which were grouped into two main categories of reasons for inadequate compliance with health protocols by some individuals. These include: (1) Intentional non-compliance with preventive protocols, with the following subcategories: perceived obligation and adherence to social customs, denial of risk, belief in external health locus of control, and fear and distrust of prevention and treatment methods. (2) Unintentional non-compliance with preventive protocols, with the following subcategories: insufficient or contradictory information, negligence, and inevitability.ConclusionThe findings suggest that ensuring compliance with health guidelines is not a one-size-fits-all approach. providing empowerment and obstacle removal solutions to those forced to violate preventive protocols for various reasons are all critical components of successful interventions. Also, cultural familiarity can aid in the design of appropriate interventions to address these challenges.

Lack of trust, insufficient knowledge and risk denial; an in-depth understanding of health workers barriers to uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine at Iganga Hospital Eastern Uganda, and Mengo Hospital Kampala Uganda

COVID 19 Vaccine hesitancy among health workers remains a major hindrance to the governments vaccine roll out plan among health workers and other target populations in Uganda. We conducted 12 focus group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews with health workers (vaccinated and unvaccinated) to understand barriers to vaccine acceptance in their own perspective and context in central and eastern Uganda. Reported barriers to vaccine acceptance included: gross lack of trust, fear of side effects, risk denial and insufficient information about the vaccine amidst negative publicity about the vaccine from the internet and social media platforms. Others were health system inhibition factors and religious beliefs against the vaccine. We recommend a health work context specific information, education and dissemination strategy to create awareness, information and more knowledge about the vaccine to health workers. We also recommend a sustained government media campaign to give more information about the vaccine and also dispel the negative publicity and misinformation about the vaccine. Dialogue with health workers at all levels of care, positive peer influence, use of religious and opinion leaders as well as government ensuring accessibly to various COVID 19 vaccines and putting vaccine posts outside hospital settings to limit exposure to COVID patients could also increase uptake of the vaccine among health workers.

Exploring Individual and Contextual Factors Associated With Sexual Risk and Substance Use Among Underserved GBQMSM and Transgender and Nonbinary Persons in South Central Appalachia.

Gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men (GBQMSM) and transgender and nonbinary persons are at elevated risk for HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and hepatitis C (HCV); in Appalachia, these communities experience more disease burden. However, little is known about the factors influencing risk. Sixteen semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted examining factors influencing prevention and care. Data were analyzed using constant comparison methodology. Fifteen themes emerged within four domains: social environment (e.g., microaggressions across gender, sexual orientation, and racial identities), substance use (e.g., high prevalence, use as coping mechanism), sexual health (e.g., misinformation and denial of risk for HIV and STIs), and access to health care (e.g., cost and transportation barriers, lack of local respectful care). Findings highlighted salient barriers and assets influencing prevention and care and suggest that multilevel interventions are needed to improve access to and use of HIV, STI, and HCV prevention and care services.

The Role of Denial in Vaccine Skeptics and "Anti-vax" Blame: A Psychodynamic Approach.

In this paper, we propose to account for the blame addressed to vaccine skeptics and “anti-vax” (VS and AV) by considering their attitude as the result of the psychological mechanism of denial, understood in a psychodynamic manner. To that effect, we draw on a secondary account of our clinical experience in two hospital units (psychiatry and intensive care unit), and on openly available media material. First, we lay out how VS and AV can be understood as the result from fetishist risk denial, a specific psychological transaction with an object by which VS and AV people feel intimately protected; this object is viewed as so powerful that its protection makes the vaccine appear irrelevant. Second, we show how this mechanism can explain the specific content of the blame frequently addressed to VS and AV, who are reproached with being selfish by vaccinated people and caregivers. We contend that, contrary to common belief, they are thus blamed because they force others (and especially caregivers) to compensate their lack of self-protection and preservation, which derives from their exclusive relation to an almighty object. While such a relation accounts for the unwillingness to consider vaccination, it also explains the harshness of the blame voiced by caregivers, who feel helpless in most situations as they cannot effectively force VS and AV to take care of themselves and others.

Living on with Sellafield: Nuclear infrastructure, slow violence, and the politics of quiescence

AbstractCommunities living with nuclear infrastructures have widely been positioned as quiescent and accepting of the risks posed. Drawing on ethnographic data collected in 2008 in the village of Seascale, which neighbours the UK’s Sellafield nuclear site, and on recent thinking on nuclear and toxic geographies, this paper troubles the idea of nuclear quiescence. In doing so, it critically engages with a long tradition of geographical research on nuclear communities, much of which adopts a risk‐perception paradigm, foregrounding the presence (or absence) of localised concern. Within this body of work, interest has centred on the apparent paradox that those spatially exposed are also most quiescent, pointing to the play of economic dependency, risk denial, and familiarity with nuclear infrastructure. This paper addresses the slow violence inherent in living on with nuclear infrastructure: drawn‐out effects and affects of nuclearity on place that are barely visible in the routines of everyday life. I locate these expressions of social and geographic damage in techno‐political relations that obscure the exceptionalism of the nuclear industry. The analysis challenges passive renderings of toxic victimhood by emphasising modes of pragmatic resistance – subtle and contingent ways in which residents challenge the identity and structural relations of being nuclear. I stress the need for geographers to find alternative ways of theorising the unjust relationship between nuclear economies, infrastructures, and places in situations of political‐economic dependency and domination. I argue that policy instruments aimed at securing social justice in nuclear infrastructure planning will need to more fully, and openly, grapple with questions around the socio‐political relations of care that might sustain a ‘good life’ for places that have very long histories and even longer futures with toxicity.

The Role of Cultural Worldviews in the Risk Perception and Denial of Climate Change

This study analyzed the effect of cultural worldviews on risk perception and denial of climate change through an online survey. We found that individualistic worldviews significantly affect individuals’ climate change risk perceptions, even when we controlled demographic and psychological factors. However, our analysis also indicated that cultural worldviews alone do not significantly impact on climate change denial, rather interactions with collective efficacy and uncertainty is significant in this regard. Specifically, among individuals with higher levels of uncertainty, those with higher hierarchical tendencies were more likely to deny climate change than those with lower hierarchical tendencies. Meanwhile, among individuals with low collective efficacy, those with higher hierarchical tendencies were more likely to deny climate change than those with lower hierarchical tendencies. This paper concludes by discussing the results from the perspective of the Korean context and explaining the practical implications of our findings for policymakers and climate change communicators.

HIV, Human Rights and Migration: Narratives of HIV-Positive Asylum Seekers in Scotland

Political instability, armed unrest, religious intolerance, human rights violations, ethnic conflict and environmental disasters that threaten one’s life, displace people and often compel them to seek asylum elsewhere. Over the years, the UK has been a major recipient of asylum seekers, some of whom have come to Scotland, especially since 2000, and among these there are a number who present health issues including being HIV-positive. HIV-positive asylum seekers experience poverty, isolation, vulnerability, stigma and discrimination, which when coupled with a lack of appropriate medical care and support, have the potential of adding another layer on the denial of fundamental human rights and further stigmatising people who are already fleeing circumstances threatening their very existence. This paper discusses findings from a recent study that examined the lived experiences of HIV-positive asylum seekers since their arrival in Scotland. A flexible qualitative research design that included in-depth interviews that used life history and a phenomenological approach was adopted. Underpinned by ethics approval, nineteen HIV-positive Black African asylum seekers were recruited through third sector organisations in Glasgow, Scotland. Additional data were gathered from two emotive and discursive focus group meetings. Findings were developed using narrative analysis. The accounts of the asylum seekers reflect continued fear of stigma in the face of HIV disclosure, but also pervasive poverty and inequality. Their experiences include denial of rights to family and security, fear of being detained and deported, denial of appropriate medical care, symptoms of post-traumatic disorder and the culturally insensitive and sometimes inhumane attitude of the UK Immigration Agency. These themes depict an everyday struggle in a context of denial of support and risk of potential deportation to a country where HIV treatment is limited or inaccessible. Their narratives also attest to the life-giving, unstinting care and support they receive from a handful of voluntary agencies and one specialist HIV clinic in Scotland. The findings from this study raise issues for a debate about the treatment of HIV-positive asylum seekers in Scotland. Poverty, inequality, stigma and discrimination continue to pose difficulties in accessing care and treatment and wider community integration. Often treated in a piecemeal and ‘service-siloed’ fashion, the needs and human rights of HIV-positive asylum seekers require a greater, more holistic practice and policy attention.

Representations about sexuality of people diagnosed late with HIV infection.

to understand the representations about sexuality of people diagnosed late with HIV infection and its implications in the delayed search for diagnosis. this is a qualitative study, whose theoretical and methodological framework was Social Representation Theory. The research was carried out with 18 people diagnosed late with HIV infection through an open interview. For data analysis, Structural Narration Analysis was used, with support from MAXQDA 12®. representations about sexuality contributed to delayed diagnosis, such as trust in a fixed partnership, sexual intercourse is natural, sexuality as a taboo, search for pleasure in sexual intercourse, regardless of risks, denial of risk for HIV infection. representations about sexuality participate in a web of stereotypes and riskier ways of living, which contribute to delayed diagnosis. Sexual health education remains necessary and essential throughout people's lives.

Withstanding winter vulnerabilities: A way of life in a northern seaside community

Abstract This study responds to the dearth of qualitative research on long-term adaptation to winter climate-induced access and safety problems in rural areas in Western welfare societies. Based on qualitative interviews with 19 long-term residents in a thriving fishing village in northern Norway, the paper explores how they have adapted to and coped with roadside avalanches, blizzards, heavy snowfalls, and snowdrifts that have suddenly closed access highways and cut off other lifelines. The study shows that the inhabitants have internalised hazard adaptation and preparedness through safeguarding themselves, family members, their home and community during difficult times. Still, they admitted that local solidarity and coping capacity were changing with the arrival of newcomers who are less accustomed to and experienced with these hazards. Despite high personal and joint adaptation and coping capacities, the study also reveals denial of risk and the prevalence of worry, particularly among women. The inhabitants acknowledged mortality risk while driving on avalanche-exposed winter highways, yet assumed that they would not have a fatal accident.

How Do Individuals Justify and Rationalize their Criminal Behaviors in Online Romance Fraud?

Online romance fraud (ORF) is a growing concern with such serious negative consequences as financial loss or suicide to the victim. Majority of empirical studies on online romance fraud using attachment, deception, protection motivation and relation theories focus on the victim. While neutralization offers insights into how individuals justify their deviant behaviors, the results have not been consistent in different contexts. In the ORF context, offenders may not only rely on justifying techniques but also rationalize their actions by denying risk both to the victim and the offender. Thus, drawing from the neutralization and denial of risk theories, we develop a research model to explain how online romance offenders justify and rationalize their intended criminal activities. To confirm our theoretical model, we collected 320 responses from individuals at Internet Cafes alleged to be online romance fraud hotspots. Our results highlight the boundary conditions of neutralization techniques in the context of online romance fraud. The study shows that denial of risk, a rationalization mechanism, moderates the relationship between denial of victim, a justification technique, and intention to commit romance fraud. This insight advances the frontiers of neutralization theory. We offer both theoretical and managerial implications of the findings.

Alcohol and cancer: risk perception among the French population

Abstract In 2015, in France, 41 000 deaths were estimated to be attributable to alcohol consumption including 16 000 deaths from cancer. 8% of all new cancer cases were attributable to alcohol. The French National Cancer Institute and Sante Public France have conducted a study on knowledge and opinions of the French population on the risks factors attributed to cancer, including alcohol consumption. Data came from the 2015 Barometre Cancer survey, a random cross-sectional telephone survey of the French general population (n = 3771 individuals aged 15-85 years). About 88% of the respondents felt well informed about the risks of alcohol. Opinions show an important risk denial and risk relativization: e.g, 85% agreed that the principal risk with alcohol consumption are traffic accidents or violence and 75% agreed that soda and hamburgers are as bad as alcohol for the health. Those perception were higher among men, older respondents, daily drinking consumers and those of low socioeconomic status. Population’s beliefs to deny the cancer risks due to alcohol use are common in France. These results can be used to redesign public information about the risks of alcohol. Key messages Population’s beliefs to deny the cancer risks due to alcohol use are common in France. It’s necessary to adress public information about the risks of alcohol.

The market for climate services in the tourism sector – An analysis of Austrian stakeholders’ perceptions

Climate services (CS) are promoted as a means to support decision-making processes in order to better prepare and adapt to the risks and opportunities of climate variability and change. The current market for CS is still in its early stages. In this paper, we report the findings from our recent investigation into the actual and potential market for CS in the Austrian tourism sector. In close collaboration with tourism stakeholders and CS providers, we explored main barriers hampering the actual use and effectiveness of climate services and identified potential drivers to support further product development and widespread uptake of CS.Despite the high vulnerability of tourism to climate variability and change, the actual use of CS among Austrian tourism stakeholders is rather limited. The main barriers to the use of CS in tourism include wide-spread low levels of risk awareness, a certain degree of risk denial, a lacking sense of urgency due to (yet still) little financial pressure, and rather short business decision cycles, which lead to a low prioritization of climate issues. Furthermore, lack of knowledge of existing services and their benefits, lack of applicability, and distrust in climate services restrict their use.Recommendations for an enhanced uptake of CS thus include the improved demonstration and communication of their added value. In addition, the market would benefit from an increase in intermediaries who bridge the gap between research and applicability. It is further recommended to increasingly integrate climate information into existing services and products already in use.

Motivated health risk denial and preventative health care investments

People deny health risks, invest too little in disease prevention, and are highly sensitive to the price of preventative health care, especially in developing countries. Moreover, private sector R&D spending on developing-country diseases is almost non-existent. To explain these empirical observations, I propose a model of motivated belief formation, in which an agent's decision to engage in health risk denial balances the psychological benefits of reduced anxiety with the physical cost of underprevention. I use the model to study firms’ price-setting behavior and incentive to innovate. I also show that tax-funded prevention subsidies are welfare enhancing.

Parental unawareness and adolescent denial of suicide risk highly prevalent, researchers find

A recent study suggests that many adolescents at risk for suicide go undetected, because their parents are unaware of the teens' thoughts, and because the teens deny having such thoughts. This means that suicide screening requires a “multi‐informant” and personalized approach, based specifically on risk factors for unawareness and denial, the researchers conclude.

Representations of people living with HIV: influences on the late diagnosis of infection.

To analyze the representations constructed by people living with HIV on the infection and their influence on the late search for diagnosis. A qualitative study, conducted through an open interview with people who had a late diagnosis of HIV infection. The theoretical framework adopted was the Theory of Social Representations based on a critical approach. For data analysis, was used the Structural Analysis of Narration method and the MAXQDA 12® software. Eighteen people participated in the study. The following original representations were unveiled: AIDS as a transmissible and dangerous disease; disease of the other; severe, incurable and deadly disease; and denial of risk due to trust in a steady partner. These representations contributed to the late search for diagnosis, either because of the attitude of distance from susceptible people, or because they did not perceive or deny the risks to which they were exposed in their life trajectories. Understanding the reasons that lead people to a late diagnosis of HIV is imperative in the current epidemic scenario for the planning and implementation of new strategies and policies for the timely diagnosis of the infection.

Understanding consumers’ purchase intention towards counterfeit luxury goods

PurposeCounterfeiting is a large business involving the manufacturing or distribution of imitation goods. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated research model that combines neutralisation theory and perceived risk theory to explain consumers’ purchase intention towards counterfeit luxury goods.Design/methodology/approachOf the 280 distributed questionnaires, 230 were returned. Rigorous data filtering was performed to remove problematic data, leaving 213 usable questionnaires for analysis. To validate the proposed hypotheses, PLS analysis (a variance-based structural equation modelling technique) was conducted using Smart-PLS.FindingsThe results showed that denial of responsibility, denial of victim, performance risk and social risk are significant predictors of consumers’ purchase intention towards counterfeit luxury goods. However, denial of injury, appeal to higher loyalties, condemnation of the condemners, as well as psychological risk and prosecution risks, were found to have no significant relationships with purchase intention towards counterfeit luxury goods.Originality/valueThe integrated model is useful in predicting consumers’ purchase intention towards counterfeit luxury goods. This study discusses the research findings and concludes with managerial implications and limitations.

Risk perceptions of public health and food safety hazards in poultry husbandry by citizens, poultry farmers and poultry veterinarians

Differences in risk perceptions of public health and food safety hazards in various poultry husbandry systems by various stakeholder groups, may affect the acceptability of those husbandry systems. Therefore, the objective was to gain insight into risk perceptions of citizens, poultry farmers, and poultry veterinarians regarding food safety and public health hazards in poultry husbandry systems, and into factors explaining these risk perceptions. We surveyed risk perceptions of Campylobacter contamination of broiler meat, avian influenza introduction in laying hens, and altered dioxin levels in eggs for the most commonly used broiler and laying hen husbandry systems in Dutch citizens (n = 2,259), poultry farmers (n = 100), and poultry veterinarians (n = 41). Citizens perceived the risks of the three hazards in the indoor systems higher and in the outdoor systems lower than did the professionals. Citizens reported higher concerns regarding aspects reflecting underlying psychological factors of risk perception compared to professionals. Professionals indicated a relatively low level of personal control, which might imply risk denial. Of the socio-demographic characteristics, gender and childhood residence were associated with risk perceptions. The influence of other factors of risks perception are discussed. It is suggested that risk perceptions of all stakeholder groups are influenced by affect, stigma, and underlying values. To adapt current or new husbandry systems that can count on societal support, views of key stakeholders and multiple aspects such as animal welfare, public health, food safety, and underlying values should be considered integrally. When trade-offs, such as between animal welfare and public health have to be made, insight into underlying values might help to find consensus among stakeholders.

A qualitative analysis of smokers\u2019 perceptions about lung cancer screening

BackgroundIn 2013, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) began recommending lung cancer screening for high risk smokers aged 55–80 years using low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan. In light of these updated recommendations, there is a need to understand smokers’ knowledge of and experiences with lung cancer screening in order to inform the design of patient education and tobacco cessation programs. The purpose of this study is to describe results of a qualitative study examining smokers’ perceptions around lung cancer screening tests.MethodsIn 2009, prior to the release of the updated USPSTF recommendations, we conducted 12 120-min, gender-specific focus groups with 105 current smokers in Charlotte, North Carolina and Cincinnati, Ohio. Focus group facilitators asked participants about their experience with three lung cancer screening tests, including CT scan, chest x-ray, and sputum cytology. Focus group transcripts were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed using constant comparative methods.ResultsParticipants were 41–67 years-old, with a mean smoking history of 38.9 pack-years. Overall, 34.3% would meet the USPSTF’s current eligibility criteria for screening. Most participants were unaware of all three lung cancer screening tests. The few participants who had been screened recalled limited information about the test. Nevertheless, many participants expressed a strong desire to pursue lung cancer screening. Using the social ecological model for health promotion, we identified potential barriers to lung cancer screening at the 1) health care system level (cost of procedure, confusion around results), 2) cultural level (fatalistic beliefs, distrust of medical system), and 3) individual level (lack of knowledge, denial of risk, concerns about the procedure). Although this study was conducted prior to the updated USPSTF recommendations, these findings provide a baseline for future studies examining smokers’ perceptions of lung cancer screening.ConclusionWe recommend clear and patient-friendly educational tools to improve patient understanding of screening risks and benefits and the use of best practices to help smokers quit. Further qualitative studies are needed to assess changes in smokers’ perceptions as lung cancer screening with CT scan becomes more widely used in community practice.

Motivated Health Risk Denial and Preventative Health Care Investments

People deny health risks, invest too little in disease prevention, and are highly sensitive to the price of preventative health care, especially in developing countries. Moreover, private sector R&D spending on developing-country diseases is almost non-existent. To explain these empirical observations, I propose a model of motivated belief formation, in which an agent's decision to engage in health risk denial balances the psychological benefits of reduced anxiety with the physical cost of underprevention. I use the model to study firms' price-setting behaviour and incentive to innovate. I also show that tax-funded prevention subsidies are welfare enhancing.

Alcohol and cancer: risk perception and risk denial beliefs among the French general population.

Worldwide, millions of deaths each year are attributed to alcohol. We sought to examine French people's beliefs about the risks of alcohol, their correlates, and their associations with alcohol use. Data came from the 2010 Baromètre Cancer survey, a random cross-sectional telephone survey of the French general population (n = 3359 individuals aged 15-75 years). Using principal component analysis of seven beliefs about alcohol risks, we built two scores (one assessing risk denial based on self-confidence and the other risk relativization). Two multiple linear regressions explored these scores' socio-demographic and perceived information level correlates. Multiple logistic regressions tested the associations of these scores with daily drinking and with heavy episodic drinking (HED). About 60% of the respondents acknowledged that alcohol increases the risk of cancer, and 89% felt well-informed about the risks of alcohol. Beliefs that may promote risk denial were frequent (e.g. 72% agreed that soda and hamburgers are as bad as alcohol for your health). Both risk denial and risk relativization scores were higher among men, older respondents and those of low socioeconomic status. The probability of daily drinking increased with the risk relativization score and that of HED with both scores. Beliefs that can help people to deny the cancer risks due to alcohol use are common in France and may exist in many other countries where alcoholic beverages have been an integral part of the culture. These results can be used to redesign public information campaigns about the risks of alcohol.