Risk Perception Research Articles

US adolescents’ response to nicotine warning labels in influencer e-cigarette marketing social media posts: a survey-based randomised between-subject experiment

BackgroundE-cigarette promotional posts with misleading nicotine warning labels on social media may lower adolescents’ risk perceptions of e-cigarettes. A between-subject experiment assessed effects of influencers’ e-cigarette promotional posts with different...

The effect of review quality on purchase intention in cross-border e-commerce: The case of Hungary

AbstractThis study investigates the impact of review quality (a situational stimulus) on consumers' risk perception and purchase intention in cross-border e-commerce based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model. In doing so, quantitative research involving 400 Hungarian respondents was performed. The data were analysed using composite-based structural equation modelling (SEM). The study concludes that an experience created through highly qualified online reviews of previous consumers has a significant effect on mitigating consumers' risk perception while increasing their purchase intentions. The study also differentiates two aspects of risk, including perceived risk and affective risk, and reveals the two-fold mechanism of the decision-making journey. These results enrich the existing literature by supporting the use of the SOR model and introducing review quality as a situational stimulus to explain consumers' risk perception and purchase behaviours in cross-border e-commerce. Additionally, the study also provides valuable guidance in website design that can stimulate purchasing while lowering online perceived risk.

An integrative framework for mapping the psychological landscape of risk perception

We vary greatly in our perception of risk, not just because of differences between risks themselves, but also because of individual, contextual and cultural differences too. To better understand and predict responses to risk, we need to (a) integrate these components, combining approaches from different psychological disciplines and (b) also consider risk tolerance – how individuals trade-off between risks and benefits. We therefore developed an ICONS (individual, contextual, cognitive, social) framework; using it across two empirical studies (n = 4228) to examine how individuals perceive and respond to the quotidian risks associated with consumer products. Three dimensions underlined risk perceptions: benefits, dread and individual responsibility. Risk tolerance was typically predicted by interactions between individual (demographic, cultural worldview, personality) and contextual (product type/category, harm information) factors. In turn, perceived dread, benefits and individual differences shaped how likely participants were to communicate risk information. Our results demonstrate for the first time how the interaction between individual, cognitive (risk tolerance, intensity), contextual, and social (risk communication) factors is key to understanding and predicting risk perceptions. Together, our findings help explain why societal responses to risks are often difficult to predict and have implications for the spread, and amplification, of risk information.

Outdoor workers' perceptions of skin cancer prevention: a qualitative study.

Outdoor workers are at increased risk for skin cancer and melanoma. This qualitative study aimed to explore outdoor workers' perspectives and experiences of primary (i.e. sun protection) and secondary prevention, i.e. skin self-examination (SSE) of skin cancer. Purposive, snowball, and theoretical sampling was used to recruit outdoor workers in Kentucky and Indiana. Semi-structured interviews via telephone or videoconference of approximately 45min were conducted with interviewer probes and questions about perceptions of cancer risk, prevention, and screening techniques conducted, perceived barriers and facilitators, and preferences for health dissemination venues. The recordings were transcribed verbatim and de-identified. Analysis involved constructivist grounded theory coding strategies. Using peer debriefing and consensus building around themes, the researcher established a codebook for all interviews to utilize within Dedoose software for systematizing and organizing data. Eighteen interviews were conducted. Interviewees (N = 18) ranged in age from 35 to 78 yr, with 3 females. Outdoor industries included agriculture, maintenance, and grounds maintenance. Themes derived from the data showed the underlying factors and perceptions that influence outdoor workers to conduct primary and secondary cancer prevention activities. The level of alarm attributed to disease and the level of trust in information contribute to intentions to conduct activities. The intentions and trust toward healthcare institutions and providers drive the primary or secondary prevention behaviors. Cultural and contextual factors included masculinity and self-sufficiency, familial and occupational priorities, and community ties. These data provide a basis for developing future communications and interventions to decrease skin cancer incidence in outdoor workers. They indicate that secondary prevention and building self-efficacy in conducting SSE should be emphasized in tandem or over primary skin cancer prevention methods in this population. Trusted local healthcare providers should primarily provide prevention information, and materials should utilize testimonials from the local community to best influence this population. Communications and training interventions are needed in this population to induce a proactive level of alarm about cancer and result in the performance of SSE.

Navigating post-pandemic urban mobility: Unveiling intentions for shared micro-mobility usage across three U.S. cities

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching impact on travel patterns, leading to a ubiquitous yet unequal decrease in mobility across transportation modes. Specifically, shared mobility services experienced a shift in demand due to increased concerns about COVID-19 transmission. As we move beyond the pandemic, gaining insights into the evolving travel demand landscape becomes crucial for adapting operations to the new normal of travel behavior. To that end, this study seeks to examine travelers’ intentions to adopt shared e-scooters and bikes in a scenario where COVID-19 risk is no longer a prominent factor. To achieve this, survey data were collected in Fall 2022 from three cities in the Midwest U.S. with different sizes, population densities, and maturity of shared mobility services. The survey solicited respondents’ opinions about their willingness to adopt shared mobility services in a future scenario. Covariance-based multigroup structural equation modeling (MG-SEM) was conducted to compare travel attitudes and perceptions among users from the three cities. Findings highlight the positive influence of attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and social norms on intentions to use micro-mobility. Additionally, the study reveals an unexpected positive influence of COVID-19 risk perception on intentions in one of the three cities, presenting an opportunity for service providers to capitalize on the perceived safety of shared micro-mobility in the future. Information about the intention to use shared mobility can help service operators anticipate a potential rise in demand, inform their operations, implement incentives and employ new market strategies to boost ridership.

Exposure to user-generated e-cigarette content on social media associated with greater vulnerability to e-cigarette use among youth non-users

IntroductionSocial media are important venues for youth’s exposure to e-cigarette content. This study examined how exposure to user-generated e-cigarette content (i.e., content created and shared by individual social media users) is associated with vulnerabilities to e-cigarette use among youth non-users. MethodsWe pooled data from the 2021 and 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Youth who have never used e-cigarettes were included. Weighted linear and logistic regressions were conducted to examine how exposure to user-generated e-cigarette content (from real-life friends, online-only friends, and celebrities/influencers) on social media was associated with e-cigarette use vulnerabilities measured by perceived norms, perceived risk, and susceptibility of use, controlling for demographics, advertising exposure, and mental health conditions. Multiple imputations were performed to account for missing data. ResultsExposure to e-cigarette content on social media posted by real-life friends, online-only friends, and celebrities/influencers were associated with more positive descriptive norm (βs = 1.56, 0.37, and 0.35, respectively, all ps < .001), more positive injunctive norm (βs = 0.46, 0.19, and 0.10, respectively, all ps < .001), and higher odds of e-cigarette use susceptibility (ORs = 1.48, 1.50. 1.29, respectively, all ps < .001). Exposure to content posted by real-life and online-only friends were associated with reduced risk perception of e-cigarette use (β = −0.04, p < 0.05 and β = −0.07, p < 0.001). ConclusionsOur study highlighted that friends and celebrities/influencers are important sources on social media that can influence youth non-users’ vulnerabilities to e-cigarette use. Interventional messages communicated through friends and influencers on social media may in turn help reduce e-cigarette vulnerability among youth non-users.

Risk perception and use of personal care products by race and ethnicity among a diverse population

Personal care products can contain phthalates, parabens and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. However, information on perception of risks from personal care product use and how use varies by race and ethnicity is limited. We evaluated differences in personal care product use and risk perception in a diverse sample of participants recruited from a US college campus and online. A self-administered questionnaire captured information on sociodemographic factors, personal care product use trends and perception of risk associated with them. Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine differences in personal care product use and risk perception by race and ethnicity. Ordered logistic regressions were performed to measure associations between personal care product use frequency across racial/ethnic categories. Participant (n = 770) mean age was 22.8 years [standard deviation ± 6.0]. Daily use of make-up (eye = 29.3%; other = 38.0%; all = 33.7%) and skincare products (55%) was most frequently reported among Middle Eastern and North African participants. Non-Hispanic Black participants reported the highest daily use of hairstyling products (52%) and lotion (78%). Daily make-up use was more frequently reported among females (41%) than males (24.6%). Levels of agreement were similar across racial and ethnic groups, that personal care product manufacturers should be required to list all ingredients (≥87%). There were significant associations between the frequency of use of some personal care products and racial/ethnic categories when the use frequencies of participants from other racial/ethnic categories were compared to the use frequency of non-Hispanic White participants. There were significant differences in daily use frequency, levels of trust, perception of safety and health risks associated with personal care products by race and ethnicity, underscoring that there may be different sources of exposure to chemicals in personal care products by race and ethnicity.

Smokers' perception of the comparative health risks of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products: a survey among the German population.

Tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products can pose different health risks (harm continuum). As current tobacco smokers could benefit from switching to less harmful products, we aimed to assess current smokers' perceived comparative health risks of these three products and to explore associations between risk perceptions and specific user characteristics. We analysed data from 11 waves (2019-2021; N=5657 current tobacco smokers) of a representative, cross-sectional household survey conducted in Germany. Associations were assessed with multivariable logistic regression models. 55.2% of smokers (95%CI=53.8-56.5%) ranked cigarettes as the most harmful product. 36.1% of smokers (95%CI=34.8-37.3%) perceived e-cigarettes and 33.8% (95%CI=32.5-35.0%) heated tobacco products as more harmful than cigarettes. Misperceptions that e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products are more harmful to health than cigarettes increased over the 3-year study period and were more common among those with lower educational attainment. Only half of current tobacco smokers in Germany perceive the comparative health risks of cigarettes adequately and such misperceptions have increased recently. As current smokers could benefit most from switching to less harmful products, educational campaigns are needed to inform this group about the health risks of tobacco smoking and the comparative health risks of the various nicotine and tobacco products along the harm continuum.

Development and Validation of a General Aviation Risk Perception Scale

Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a psychometric tool for measuring pilot perceptions of risk, with a focus on risk in general aviation (GA) flying. Unlike other objective protocols that pilots adhere to (e.g., checklists), assessing and responding to risk is a subjective task, making it challenging to evaluate. Previous research has developed scales that are either too generalized or have poor psychometric properties (i.e., reliability and validity). Therefore, this effort intended to develop a validated scale utilizing psychometrically sound methods, including literature review, item generation, subject matter expert review, item pool truncation, data collection, and analysis. Results confirmed a statistically valid and reliable 15-item scale – the General Aviation Risk Perception Scale – explicitly for pilots and GA-related risk.

The effect of risk of contracting and fear of COVID-19 on burnout and job satisfaction in Polish teachers

BackgroundFear of COVID-19 and its related complications can negatively affect well-being and contribute to less effective daily and professional functioning. Based on Maslach’s burnout concept, this study aimed to verify the relationship between risk of contracting and fear of COVID-19, occupational burnout and job satisfaction in Polish teachers during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.Participants and procedureThree hundred fifty-two teachers, aged between 22 and 68, participated in this study. In the studied sample, 252 people worked remotely, 41 in-person and 59 were hybrid workers. The Risk of Contracting COVID-19 Scale, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Brief Job Satisfaction Scale were used.ResultsRisk of contracting COVID-19 was positively related to fear of COVID-19 and emotional exhaustion. Moreover, fear of COVID-19 was negatively related to personal accomplishment and positively related to emotional exhaustion. Lastly, all three dimensions of occupational burnout were significantly related to job satisfaction. There was no direct relationship between fear of COVID-19 and job satisfaction. This relation was mediated by two scales of occupational burnout: personal accomplishment and emotional exhaustion. All three subscales of occupational burnout were significant predictors of job satisfaction, explaining 53% of its variance.ConclusionsThe current study showed a relationship between the risk perception of COVID-19, occupational burnout and job satisfac-tion in Polish teachers during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results obtained in the study may contrib-ute to the understanding of the effects of the pandemic for the professional group of educators.

Stakeholder perspectives on landslide triggers and impacts in five countries

AbstractExpert perspectives drive landslide mitigation and post-disaster policy planning. This study examines landslide risk perceptions among the stakeholders (government officials, academics, policy experts, local community representatives, and representatives of NGOs/civil society) across Brazil, Colombia, Nepal, Iran, and Pakistan, identifying both shared concerns and local heterogeneity. Key informants revealed a discrepancy in their degree of concern about landslides, with government officials exhibiting greater apprehension compared to local community representatives. Local community representatives incorrectly perceived landslides to be the result of natural phenomena. In contrast, governmental and academic stakeholders felt that human-induced triggers, specifically those related to land use and land cover change, were significant contributors to landslide occurrences, necessitating stringent law enforcement. The comprehensive impacts of landslides included economic losses, infrastructure disruption, agricultural losses, and food security concerns, underscoring the multifaceted nature of this hazard. Our results suggest the need for proactive citizen engagement in landslide monitoring, recognizing the importance of local contexts. We end by proposing a dual-pronged policy approach that emphasizes the socio-economic context of each region.

Keep the (social) distance! Turnout and risk perception during health crisis

This article investigates the relationship between risk perception and electoral participation of citizens. To assess this, we use the case study of the novel coronavirus and its relationship with voter turnout during the 2020 Romanian elections. We assess the relationship between COVID-19 and citizens’ intention to cast a vote by employing an individual model. Additionally, using the share rate of the infected population with COVID-19, we examine the association between the intensity of the outbreak across counties and electoral participation. Either though our research is cross-sectional and focuses on covariation rather than causal relationships, provides insightful results. The individual model shows that the higher the risk perception of infection is, the lower the intention to cast a vote. The aggregated exploratory model employed shows that an increase in the percentage of the shared infected population decreases the chance of electoral participation.

E-cigarette use, perceived risks, attitudes, opinions of e-cigarette policies, and associated factors among Thai university students.

Although many countries, including Thailand, currently ban the sale of e-cigarettes, their use continues to rise, especially among young adults. Since the study of e-cigarette use among university students is limited, this study aimed to determine factors associated with e-cigarette use and explore university students' attitudes toward e-cigarettes, perceived risk, and opinion of e-cigarette policies. This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students using convenience sampling in a university, in central Thailand from November 2022 to February 2023. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to 19 faculties representing health sciences, science and technology, social and arts faculties, and the International College. A total of 548 students completed the online questionnaire, and 20.4% reported ever using e-cigarettes, while 40% of e-cigarette users were unsure about the nicotine content. About 28% agreed, and 22% were unsure whether e-cigarettes could help quit smoking. Most students perceived that e-cigarettes are addictive and harmful, while about half of the participants agreed with the policy related to e-cigarettes in Thailand. Students with positive attitudes towards e-cigarettes were more likely to use e-cigarettes (AOR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.08-1.22), and those with lower perceived risk (AOR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.82-0.96) and who disagreed with e-cigarettes policy (AOR=0.93; 95% CI: 0.89-0.97) were more likely to use e-cigarettes. Personal income and having friends who use e-cigarettes were the significant predictors for e-cigarette use, while studying in the faculty of science and technology was a predictor of using e-cigarettes last month. Although the perceived risk was high, about half of the students thought that e-cigarettes could help them quit smoking and were unsure or disagreed with e-cigarette banning policies. Attitude, perceived risk, policy opinions, personal income, and having friends who used e-cigarettes, were associated with e-cigarette use. Thus, correcting misunderstandings and increasing risk perceptions about e-cigarettes must be advocated among university students.

Investigating the antecedents of mHealth adoption by older adults in a lower-middle income country: The PLS-MGA approach

ABSTRACT The adoption of technology and the rising digital divide among the older adult population, predominantly in lower-middle income countries such as Bangladesh, have posed a precarious challenge. Hence, the time has come to navigate this upcoming challenge. Thus, the current research aims to investigate the impact of perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PE), and perceived risk (PR) on the behavioral intention to adopt mHealth (BI). Furthermore, multigroup analysis (MGA) is used to examine BI regarding gender and income groups. Data from 140 older adults in Bangladesh were gathered and later analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to estimate the measurement and structural model parameters and produce concurrent bootstrap evaluations. The findings revealed that PE and PU substantially affect the intention to adopt mHealth, whereas PR has small effect on mHealth adoption. Furthermore, the MGA depicts that the effect of PR is statistically significant for older adult males and females. Additionally, the effect of PE on behavioral intention to adopt mHealth between income groups (lower income vs. higher income) is significant. Therefore, this research advances our theoretical and empirical understanding by yielding new scholarly evidence in the domain of mHealth adoption by older adults. Finally, the paper concludes with augmented practical considerations concerning the adoption of mHealth as a technology by older adults, which will assist in alleviating the digital divide for any such lower-middle income country across the globe.

The influence of water safety knowledge on adolescents’ drowning risk behaviors: a framework of risk-protect integrated and KAP theory

IntroductionAlthough previous research has examined the risk factors for drowning behavior among adolescents, it is unclear whether this association is influenced by water safety knowledge. This study aimed to examine whether water safety knowledge is associated with adolescents’ drowning risk behaviors and whether drowning risk perceptions and attitudes could have a chain mediating role in the association between water safety knowledge and adolescents’ drowning risk behaviors.MethodsThis study included 7,485 adolescents from five Chinese provinces and cities. We used the Drowning Risk Behaviors Scales (DRBS) to evaluate the risk of drowning behaviors. The Water Safety Knowledge Scale (WSKS) was used to evaluate the competence level of water safety knowledge. The Drowning Risk Perceptions Scale (DRPS) was used to evaluate the risk level of perceptions, and the Drowning Risk Attitudes Scale (DRAS) was used to evaluate the risk level of attitudes.ResultsThe results of the mediating effect test showed that water safety knowledge (WSK) affected drowning risk behaviors (DRB) through three indirect paths. Drowning risk perceptions (DRP) and attitudes (DRA) have significantly mediated the association between WSK and DRB. In conclusion, DRP and DRA can act as mediators between WSK and DRB, not only individually, but also as chain mediators, where the direct effect is-0.301, the total indirect effect is-0.214, and the total mediated indirect effect is 41.5%.DiscussionWater safety knowledge negatively predicts adolescents’ drowning risk behaviors; water safety knowledge has an inhibitory effect on drowning risk perceptions. Water safety knowledge can directly influence adolescents’ drowning risk perceptions and indirectly affect drowning risk behaviors through the mediation of drowning risk perceptions and attitudes comprising three paths: (1) the drowning risk perceptions mediation path, (2) the drowning risk attitudes mediation path, and (3) the drowning risk perceptions and attitudes mediation paths.

Tourists’ risk perceptions and pro-environmental behaviour during the pandemic: the roles of environmental concern and environmental ethics reflection

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a stark reminder to humanity of the urgent need to address environmental concerns. Given the intricate links between tourism and ecological issues, whether perceived risks during the pandemic can foster pro-environmental behaviour through increased concern and reflection about environmental challenges. Drawing on social cognitive theory, this study delves into the mechanisms that shape how visitors’ risk perceptions influence their pro-environmental actions in the context of the pandemic. From an online survey, 731 valid responses were accrued. The findings reveal that tourists’ risk perceptions have a significant positive influence on environmental concern and pro-environmental behaviour, environmental concern plays a partially mediating role in the relationship between tourists’ risk perceptions and pro-environmental behaviour. And environmental ethics reflection plays a positive moderating role in that mediated relationship. Based on these findings, management implications are proposed to promote pro-environmental behaviour among tourists, and the limitations of this study and future research directions are highlighted.

The Role of Social Capital in Climate Change Adaptation: Small Farmers’ Perspective

Climate change represents a major challenge for businesses and society. Small farmers in emerging economies are most vulnerable to extreme weather events and must adapt their strategies and operations. Adaptive decision-making depends on the risk perception and the availability of resources, which can be a major limitation for the context of small farmers. Our study investigates how farmers perceive climate change risks and decide on climate adaptation. We explore the small farmers` vulnerability, risk perception, and decision-making process with in-depth interviews with small farmers in different network contexts. Our data reveal that small farmers, isolated in terms of communication and support regarding climate adaptation, used social exchanges to learn and adapt. However, as the social network was the primary source of information, knowledge, and experience sharing, the quality of network relationships made a difference. Thus, the importance of social capital to enable climate adaptation.

Attitudes of South Korean consumers toward the prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock animals

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock is a complicated and multi-sectoral risk that threatens public health in the interactions between humans, animals, and environment. Through their increased awareness of AMR issues, consumers can make a significant impact on regulations and strategies to reduce or eliminate the use of antimicrobials use. This study aims to provide evidence-based data for promoting the prudent use of antimicrobials (PUA) in the livestock industry to reduce the risk of AMR and increase animal welfare by identifying consumers' intentions to support PUA practices in livestock farming. An online survey was conducted on 1000 respondents in South Korea to examine their intention to pay more for PUA practices in livestock farming at state and individual levels against their pro-animal attitude, risk perception of antimicrobial overuse, trust in antimicrobial overuse control, and perceived value of PUA practices. The survey data was analyzed using multiple linear regression to identify the determinants of Korean consumers' support for PUA practices. Approximately 86.3% of the respondents supported government-level spending for PUA in livestock farming, and the same portion of respondents intended to pay more for livestock products that complied with the PUA principle. The four attitudinal variables—pro-animal attitude, consumers' risk perception, trust in antimicrobial resistance control, and perceived value of PUA—positively affected both state- and individual-level support. Overall, our findings highlight the Korean consumers' demand for reducing the risk of AMR and their perceived universal value of PUA for humans and animals.

Design and validation of the perception of risk towards environmental unsustainability scale (PREUS)

AbstractNo validated scales are available to assess the perception of risk towards environmental unsustainability (PREU), which is a key construct for the adoption of sustainable behaviors. To fill this literature gap, the objective of this study was to develop and validate the PREU scale (PREUS). To this end, a total of 519 Spanish participants answered a survey composed of the PREUS and other psychosocial variables. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses ratify the bifactorial structure of the scale. The two factors refer to perceived risk to oneself and one’s own family (anthropocentric view of risk), and risk for the planet (ecocentric view), respectively. The structural equation modelling analyses confirmed (1) the expected relationships between both factors and other constructs of their nomological network, and (2) the mediating role of the ascription of responsibility in the relationship established between risk perception and sustainable behavior, offering empirical support for the external validity of the scale. Finally, both metric and scalar gender invariance were granted and, as expected, women showed higher PREU than men. The study provides a brief, easy-to-complete, reliable, valid, and sex-invariant instrument that can be useful for researchers and educators to assess the extent to which individuals perceive the risk that environmental unsustainability can pose.

Immigrant threat, perception of unsafety, and political articulation of immigration and multiculturalism in European countries

A large body of work has examined the relationship between population composition and risk of victimization. Past research has also suggested that the nature of political rhetoric may have profound impacts on perceived threat, fear of crime, and moral panic. This study constitutes the first attempt to examine the relationships between the negative political articulation of both immigration and multiculturalism by extreme right-wing parties and the perception of unsafety risk in European countries. We employ data from the 2018 European Social Survey (ESS), which we merge with data from the Manifesto Project Dataset, a comparative dataset on political statements. The results reveal that individuals who reside in countries with higher levels of negative political articulation of immigration and multiculturalism express greater perceived unsafety. The results also show that higher levels of perceived immigrant threat amplify the relationship between negative political articulation of immigration and perceived unsafety. Finally, news exposure amplifies the effect of the negative political articulation of immigration on the perception of unsafety when perceived immigrant threat is higher. Our findings underscore the importance of the political context and the potential of political elites to shape public perceptions, including the perception of unsafety.