Personal Risk Perception Research Articles

Predictors of misperceptions, risk perceptions, and personal risk perceptions about COVID-19 by country, education and income

Government interventions, such as mandating the use of masks and social distancing, play crucial roles in controlling the spread of pandemic infection. Adherence depends on public perceptions about pandemic risk....

Support for legislative, technological, and organizational strategies to reduce cellphone use while driving: Psychological predictors and influences of language

Objective A large body of research has established that cellphone use while driving (CUWD) is common and dangerous. However, little research has been conducted about how people react psychologically to various distraction-reduction strategies and, ultimately, support or do not support them. Understanding support for reduction is important for predicting use of technological solutions and compliance with laws and for improving communication and education about the risks of CUWD. Methods We measured support for a variety of legislative, technological, and organizational strategies to reduce CUWD in an online sample of American drivers (N = 648). We also developed evidence-based communication techniques, describing strategies in terms of benefits vs. costs or using freedom-invoking vs. freedom-reducing language to assess what would influence support. Results Support for CUWD reduction was generally high. It was predicted by driver characteristics and beliefs. For example, drivers who supported reducing CUWD more also had lower CUWD reactance, greater anti-CUWD beliefs, higher personal risk perceptions of CUWD, and greater self-reported distracted driving. Age and perceived ability to drive distracted did not predict overall support. However, two strategies that allow for handsfree phone use were supported more by people who engaged in more CUWD, perceived they had greater ability to CUWD, perceived more benefits to CUWD, had more positive affect to cellphones, and were younger. Communication techniques also influenced support. Specifically, the same strategy was supported more when described using benefits and permissive language instead of costs and restrictive language. Conclusions Most respondents supported strategies to reduce CUWD, and beliefs about risks and benefits predicted this snupport. Reactance to CUWD messaging emerged as a key predictor of lower support (and of greater self-reported distracted driving), indicating that it could be an important variable to consider when designing strategies to reduce CUWD. When targeting people resistant to quitting CUWD entirely, communicators could recommend a switch to handsfree use. Communicators who emphasize benefits and use permissive language also may increase support for CUWD reduction.

A Pandemic Risk Perception Scale.

We propose a Pandemic Risk Perception Scale. Our scale comprises two constructs, Dread Risk and Personal Exposure, divided into five dimensions: Infection Risk, Emotional Health Risk, Health System Risk,Financial Risk, and Alimentary Risk. Using multidimensional item response theory, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling on two samples of respondents, our results show that Alimentary Risk, Health System Risk, and Emotional Health Risk are the main dimensions of risk perception for the COVID‐19 pandemic. Furthermore, Infection Risk has a minor impact on the pandemic's risk perception, suggesting the presence of different dynamics between personal and general risk perceptions for the COVID‐19 pandemic.

What factors promote vaccine hesitancy or acceptance during pandemics? A systematic review and thematic analysis.

Examine the factors that promote vaccine hesitancy or acceptance during pandemics, major epidemics and global outbreaks. A systematic review and thematic analysis of 28 studies on the Influenza A/H1N1 pandemic and the global spread of Ebola Virus Disease. We found seven major factors that promote vaccine hesitancy or acceptance: demographic factors influencing vaccination (ethnicity, age, sex, pregnancy, education, and employment), accessibility and cost, personal responsibility and risk perceptions, precautionary measures taken based on the decision to vaccinate, trust in health authorities and vaccines, the safety and efficacy of a new vaccine, and lack of information or vaccine misinformation. An understanding of participant experiences and perspectives toward vaccines from previous pandemics will greatly inform the development of strategies to address the present situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the impact vaccine hesitancy might have for the introduction and effectiveness of a potential COVID-19 vaccine. In particular, we believe that skepticism toward vaccines can still exist when there are no vaccines available, which is contrary to contemporary conceptualizations of vaccine hesitancy. We recommend conducting further research assessing the relationship between the accessibility and cost of vaccines, and vaccine hesitancy.

Perceived risk of using shared mobility services during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemichas caused our daily routines to change quickly. The pandemic provokes public fear, resulting in changes in what modes of transport people use to perform their daily activities. It is imperative for transportation authorities to properly identify the different degrees of behavioral change among various social groups. A major factor that can substantially explain individuals’ behavioral changes is the personal risk perceptions toward using shared mobility solutions. Thus, this study explores the risk that individuals perceive while using public transit and ridesharing services (as the most widespread forms of shared mobility) during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we designed and implemented a multidimensional travel-behavior survey in the Chicago metropolitan area that comprises socio-demographic information and retrospective questions related to attitudes and travel behavior before and during the pandemic. Utilizing a bivariate ordered probit modeling approach to better account for the potential correlation between unobserved factors, we simultaneously modeled the perceived risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus in case of riding transit and using ridesharing services. A wide range of factors is found to be influential on the perceived risk of using shared mobility services, including the socio-demographic attributes, built environment settings, and the virus spread. Further, our results indicate that the mitigation strategies to increase the ridership of shared mobility services should be adaptive considering the spatial variations.

A qualitative meta-synthesis on how autonomy promotes vaccine rejection or delay among health care providers.

In spite of the overwhelming evidence that highlights the effectiveness of routine vaccination, an increasing number of people are refusing to follow recommended vaccination schedules. While the majority of research in this area has focussed on vaccine hesitancy in parents, there is little research on the factors that promote vaccine hesitancy in health care providers (HCPs). Identifying factors that promote vaccine hesitancy in HCPs is essential because it may help broaden our understanding of vaccine hesitancy in patients. Therefore, the goal of this investigation was to review 21 studies and examine how professional autonomy and risk perception may promote vaccine acceptance, rejection and delay in physicians and nurses. We found that vaccine hesitant nurses and physicians shared similar views towards vaccines; both groups believed that their decision to vaccinate was separate from their role as an HCP. This belief comprised of three themes: decisional autonomy, personal risk perception and alternatives to vaccination. Both groups believed that mandatory vaccine policies reduced their ability to decide whether vaccination was in their best interests. We argue that decisional autonomy may weaken risk perception of disease, which in turn may encourage beliefs and behaviours that reinforce a 'hero persona' that reduces appropriate preventive and hygiene measures. We employ the Health Belief Model to discuss the crucial role that risk perceptions may play in reinforcing autonomy in vaccine hesitant physician and nurses. We conclude this paper by providing a set of recommendations that aim to improve the decision-making process surrounding mandatory vaccinations for HCPs.

Attitudes of a geriatric population towards risks about COVID-19 pandemic: in the context of anxiety and depression.

BackgroundA curfew for elderly people was announced in Turkey to protect the geriatric population during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Although this may have the beneficial effect of preventing infection, psychological distress may also increase with prolongation of the pandemic.MethodsGeriatric patients were interviewed by telephone due to the ongoing curfew. Demographical characteristics, comorbidities, personal risk perception of COVID‐19, common concerns related to COVID‐19, and experiences of delayed hospital admission due to the pandemic were recorded. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess psychological distress, anxiety, and depression.ResultsParticipants (n = 136; 82 females, 60.3%) had a mean age of 73.4 ± 5.9 years. The most common comorbidity was hypertension (75%). Approximately 80% of the participants reported a decrease in physical activity during the curfew period. The HADS scores indicated rates of anxiety as 25.7% and depression as 16.9%. Anxiety was significantly more common in females than males (P = 0.002). Sleep problems (P = 0.000), fatigue (P = 0.000), and hopelessness (P = 0.000) were more common in participants with depression and anxiety. Logistic regression analyses showed an association between a delay in hospital admission and the presence of depression (P = 0.0029, R2 = 0.146). Personal risk perception of COVID‐19 was statistically significantly higher among patients with anxiety (P = 0.0027, R2 = 0.157).ConclusionDecreased adaptation to external and internal factors among older individuals may facilitate unfavourable outcomes of the pandemic. These results indicate that the geriatric population was mentally and physically affected by the restrictions and isolation.

Contagious Health Risk and Precautionary Social Distancing.

BackgroundSince humans are social animals, social relations are incredibly important. However, in cases of contagious diseases such as the flu, social contacts also pose a health risk. According to prominent health behavior change theories, perceiving a risk for one’s health motivates precautionary behaviors. The “behavioral immune system” approach suggests that social distancing might be triggered as a precautionary, evolutionarily learned behavior to prevent transmitting contagious diseases through social contact. This study examines the link between personal risk perception for an infectious disease and precautionary behavior for disease-prevention in the context of social relationships.MethodsAt 2-week intervals during the first semester, 100 Psychology freshmen indicated their flu risk perception, whether they had been ill during the previous week, and their friendships within their freshmen network for eight time points.ResultsSocial network analysis revealed that participants who reported a high flu risk perception listed fewer friends (B = −0.10, OR = 0.91, p = 0.026), and were more likely to be ill at the next measuring point (B = 0.26, OR = 1.30, p = 0.005). Incoming friendship nominations increased the likelihood of illness (B = 0.14, OR = 1.15, p = 0.008), while the reduced number of friendship nominations only marginally decreased this likelihood (B = −0.07, OR = 0.93, p = 0.052).ConclusionIn accordance with the concept of a “behavioral immune system,” participants with high flu risk perception displayed a social precautionary distancing even when in an environment, in which the behavior was ineffective to prevent an illness.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of COVID-19 Vaccination among Healthcare Workers of an Inner-City Hospital in New York.

Introduction: New York City is one of the areas most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Healthcare workers are among those at high risk of contracting the virus, and a vital source of information and trust in vaccines to the community. Methods: This study was conducted about attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers at a public hospital in New York City during the beginning of COVID-19 vaccination. 428 hospital employees responded. Results: Several factors were significantly associated with vaccine attitudes, including demographics such as gender (p = 0.002), age (p = 0.005), race (p < 0.001) and home location (p < 0.001), role within the hospital (p < 0.001), knowledge about the virus (p < 0.001) and confidence in and expectations about personal protective equipment and behaviors (p < 0.001). Structural equation modeling revealed that the most predictive factors were prior vaccine attitudes and concern with the speed of testing and approval of the vaccines (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis reinforced these, while also identifying perceived personal risk as significant (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Several modifiable factors that reflect confidence in science, scientific knowledge, personal risk perception, experience and medical authority are correlated with vaccine attitudes, indicating that a holistic educational approach to improve trust in science is likely to be effective in long-term reduction in vaccine hesitancy.

Risk Perception and Behavioral Response to COVID-19: A Survey of University Students and Staff in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region

ABSTRACT This study explores the risk perceptions and behavioral responses of university academics and students toward the COVID-19 pandemic. All universities in Iraqi Kurdistan were invited to take part in a self-administered online survey; 976 individuals ultimately completed it. The survey included eight main questions about personal risk perception and behavioral response to COVID-19 based on a five- or nine-point ordinal scale. A high percentage of the respondents perceived it as highly unlikely they were at risk of getting infection (26.9%), serious illness (29.7%), and death (41.7%). The percentage of the respondents who applied protective measures frequently or always was high for most protective behavior types, except for wearing masks, wearing gloves, and avoiding touching the face. There was a significant (P < .001) weak positive correlation between risk perception and protective behaviors. The respondents followed protective behavior measures reasonably, but the frequency of undertaking some important protective behaviors was relatively low.

Media and personal and social risk perceptions: The case of covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia

Mass media have long been recognised as powerful forces shaping how we experience and perceive the world. This article aims to look at the role of media, including mass media and social media, in creating people's perception of the risk brought by the virus Covid-19. This paper also discusses the differing impacts of media on risk perceptions from personal and social levels. There are 400 respondents involved, which were taken through an online survey, using Survey Monkey Application. The study uses online questionnaires and the data collected were analysed using SPSS version 27. Specifically, this article contemplates answering two important hypotheses: (1) Gender has a significant effect on risk perceptions, and (2) Media exposure has a stronger effect on social risk perception than on personal risk perception. The results showed that media have a positive role in shaping the perception of the risk of Covid-19 among the respondents. The study outcomes suggest that media exposure has a more substantial effect on social risk perceptions than personal risk perceptions.

Wi-fi related radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF): a pilot experimental study of personal exposure and risk perception

The impact of providing people with an objectively measured personal radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) exposure information on the risk perception of people is not well understood. We conducted an experimental study, among three groups of participants, to investigate the risk perception of people towards RF-EMF from Wi-Fi sources (ISM 2.4 GHz) by providing participants with either basic text, precautionary information, or a summary of their personal RF-EMF exposure measurement levels. Participants provided with personal RF-EMF exposure measurement information were more confident in protecting themselves from RF-EMF exposure, compared to those provided with only basic information. Nonetheless, neither the exposure perception nor the risk perception of people to Wi-Fi related RF-EMF differed by the type of information provided. The measured Wi-Fi signal levels were far below international exposure limits. Furthermore, self-rated levels of personal RF-EMF exposure perception were not associated with objectively measured RF-EMF exposure levels. Providing people with objectively measured information may help them build confidence in protecting themselves from Wi-Fi related RF-EMF exposure.

Testing Snowden’s Hypothesis Does Mere Awareness Drive Opposition to Government Surveillance?

Abstract This study explores the antecedents of public support for government surveillance of the private electronic communications and internet browsing of American citizens. The National Security Agency whistleblower, Edward Snowden, famously hoped that uncovering surveillance by the state would create awareness of those practices that would be sufficient to induce public opposition. Other theories suggest that support for these policies might be driven by perceptions of terrorist threat or personal risk of surveillance. We suspect, however, that most citizens do not imagine their own privacy rights to be at risk due to government surveillance, but instead believe members of other groups will be targeted. Therefore, we hypothesize that empathy toward vulnerable outgroups should strongly dampen enthusiasm for surveillance, above and beyond awareness and personal concerns and interests. A nationally representative survey finds knowledge about government surveillance to be higher than many presume, but variation in knowledge or personal interests are largely uncorrelated with support. As hypothesized, empathy for outgroups strongly predicts opposition to these policies, above and beyond a host of other factors. Two experiments further corroborate the result: Outgroup empathy, not exposure to information about actual surveillance practices, boosts public opposition.

Seroprevalence surveys in sub-Saharan Africa: what do they tell us?

Seroprevalence surveys in sub-Saharan Africa: what do they tell us?

Residents’ adoption intention of formaldehyde air purifier: the role of perceived values

Indoor formaldehyde is widely existed which poses a threat to residents’ physical health. In order to eliminate the risk of formaldehyde pollutant, individuals usually adopt formaldehyde air purifiers. In this empirical study, we aim to investigate individuals’ adoption intention of formaldehyde air purifier from the perspective of consumption values. Grounded in the Protective Action Decision Model, our research framework underlines the mechanism through which one’s personal knowledge and risk perception affect the perceived functional and non-functional values of formaldehyde air purifiers and subsequently impact the adoption intention. A survey is conducted to validate our model. This research contributes to the literature by enriching current understanding of individuals’ protective behavioral intention in the context of indoor formaldehyde.

Media exposure, perceived efficacy and positive experience as predictors of personal and social risk perceptions of mishandled vaccine in China

ABSTRACT Informed by social cognitive theory and impersonal impact hypothesis, this study examined the effects of media exposure, perceived efficacy and prior positive experience on risk perception during a risk event concerning mishandled vaccine in China. Through an online survey of 923 Internet users in China, the study explored the effect of media exposure on perceived risk in two dimensions: exposure frequency and exposure extensity, and found that exposure extensity was a significant predictor of personal risk perception, while exposure frequency had a significant effect on social risk perception. Response efficacy negatively predicted perceived social risk, while self-efficacy did not predict perceived personal risk. Prior positive experience moderated the effects of exposure extensity and self-efficacy on perceived personal risk. Prior positive experience also moderated the effects of response efficacy on perceived social risk, but did not moderate the effect of exposure frequency on perceived social risk.

Risk perception and COVID-19 preventive behaviors: application of the integrative model of behavioral prediction

ABSTRACT Preventing the COVID-19 outbreak primarily depends on individuals’ willingness to adopt social distancing and mask wearing behaviors. However, little is known about what drives individuals to adopt these behaviors. Guided by the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction, this study surveyed 590 adults in the US during the early stages of the outbreak to identify factors influencing intentions to practice social distancing and wear masks. Structural equation modeling results show that while attitudes are positively associated with intentions to perform both behaviors, perceived norms are positively associated with intentions to wear masks, and self-efficacy is positively associated with intentions to practice social distancing. Additionally, results indicate that adding personal risk perception and societal risk perception as distal variables increases the model’s predictive power. Results reveal that while social risk perception is positively associated with attitudes, perceived norms, and self-efficacy for both behaviors, personal risk perception is negatively associated with attitudes toward mask wearing, and perceived norms and self-efficacy for both behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Hospital-Based Health Care Worker Perceptions of Personal Risk Related to COVID-19.

Health care workers treating Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients face significant stressors such as caring for critically ill and dying patients, physically demanding care requiring new degrees of personal protective equipment use, risk of contracting the disease, and putting loved ones at risk. This study investigates the stress impact from COVID-19 exposure and how nurses and medical providers (eg, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) experience these challenges differently. An electronic, self-administered questionnaire was sent to all hospital staff over 6 weeks surveying exposure to COVID-19 patients and degree of stress caused by this exposure. Responses from medical providers and nurses were analyzed for significant contributors to stress levels, as well as comparing responses from medical providers versus nurses. Stress levels from increased risk of disease contraction while on the job, fear of transmitting it to family or friends, and the resulting social stigma were highest in medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared with medical providers, nurses had nearly 4 times the odds of considering job resignation due to COVID-19. However, most health care workers (77.4% of medical providers and 52.9% of nurses) strongly agreed or agreed with the statements indicating high levels of altruism in their desire to treat COVID-19 patients. The significant stress burden placed on nurses likely contributes to increased thoughts of job resignation. However, health care providers displayed high levels of altruism during this time of extreme crisis, despite their personal risks of caring for COVID-19 patients.

The importance of public risk perception for the effective management of pluvial floods in urban areas: A case study from Germany

AbstractHeavy precipitation events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity in many parts of Europe as a result of climate change. These events can affect regions located far from rivers that have never been affected before. As warning times are short, there are hardly any effective emergency measures to mitigate the severe damage caused by pluvial floods. Therefore, long‐term mitigation measures are necessary for sustainable urban flood management. However, people first need to realise their personal risk in order to become active and take private precautionary measures. To get a better understanding of the processes underlying public risk perception of pluvial floods, a questionnaire‐based telephone survey was conducted analysing two case studies in western Germany. Key findings reveal that risk perceptions need to be distinguished between personal and global perception. Personal risk perception was low among the participants, while their global risk perception was far higher. The determinants of global and personal risk perception on pluvial flooding were identified. The study also showed that mitigation behaviour is influenced by personal risk perception, knowledge, education, and housing conditions. These determinants should receive attention when future risk communication and flood management strategies are developed.

Low Perceived Anal Cancer Risk and Screening Utilization Among High-Risk Transgender Men and Women Living in an HIV / STI Epicenter.

Although risk behaviors could place transgender people at increased risk of anal cancer, few studies have examined anal cancer knowledge and screening use among this population. This study assessed knowledge of anal cancer and associated screening tools, self-perceived risk for anal cancer, and willingness to undergo anal cytology testing among transgender persons in an HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI)-dense region. Adult transgender persons were recruited locally and surveyed electronically. Descriptive statistics, student's t tests, ANOVA, and Pearson's chi-squared test were performed. Among 79 transgender persons, identified anal cancer risk factors included smoking, STI history, anoreceptive intercourse, and inconsistent condom use. Nearly half (43%) reported little to no knowledge of anal cancer. The vast majority (82%) had little to no perceived risk of developing anal cancer. Twenty-eight percent had heard of anal cytology, and few (17%) had undergone it. Despite susceptibility, transgender persons lack knowledge and have a low perception of personal risk of anal cancer, highlighting the need to increase awareness of anal cancer, risk factors, and screening methods among this population.