Threat Appraisal Processes Research Articles

Diverging Effects of Violence Exposure and Psychiatric Symptoms on Amygdala-Prefrontal Maturation During Childhood and Adolescence

BackgroundViolence exposure during childhood and adolescence is associated with increased prevalence and severity of psychopathology. Neurobiological correlates suggest that abnormal maturation of emotion-related brain circuitry, such as the amygdala-prefrontal cortex (PFC) circuit, may underlie the development of psychiatric symptoms after exposure. However, it remains unclear how amygdala-PFC circuit maturation is related to psychiatric risk in the context of violence. MethodsIn this study, we analyzed individual differences in amygdala-PFC circuit maturity using data collected from the PNC (Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort) (n = 1133 youths). Neurodevelopment models of amygdala-PFC resting-state functional connectivity were built using deep learning and trained to predict chronological age in typically developing youths (not violence exposed and without a psychiatric diagnosis). Using the brain age gap estimate, an index of relative circuit maturation, patterns of atypical neurodevelopment were investigated. ResultsViolence exposure was associated with delayed maturation of basolateral amygdala (BLA)–PFC circuits, driven by increased BLA–medial orbitofrontal cortex functional connectivity. In contrast, increased psychiatric symptoms were associated with advanced maturation of BLA-PFC functional connectivity, driven by decreased BLA–dorsolateral PFC functional connectivity. ConclusionsDelayed frontoamygdala maturation after exposure to violence suggests atypical, but adaptive, development of threat appraisal processes, potentially reflecting a greater threat generalization characteristic of younger children. Advanced circuit maturation with increasing symptoms suggests divergent neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying illness after emotion circuits have adapted to adversity, exacerbated by preexisting vulnerabilities to early maturation. Disentangling the effects of adversity and psychopathology on neurodevelopment is crucial for helping youths recover from violence and preventing illness from continuing into adulthood.

Intention to adopt services by AI avatar: A protection motivation theory perspective

Understanding how infection threats, such as COVID-19 affect the adoption of new non-contact services is important for the development and marketing of services that require significant investment. Combining protection motivation theory (PMT) and the technology acceptance model (TAM) with service trust, and including gender and age as control variables, we investigate the factors affecting consumers' intention to adopt new AI avatar services after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was conducted through an online survey of consumers in the United States for a week. Hypotheses were evaluated using structural equation modeling. The findings show that protection motivation theory variables more significantly influence the acceptance of new services than either the TAM variables or service trust. Furthermore, the threat-appraisal process more strongly influences attitudes and adoption intention toward a recommended protection response than the typical coping-appraisal process. Our new model expands the theory of consumer acceptance of new services by including the PMT perspective in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In practice, service providers need to reflect in their marketing strategies to reflect the observation that consumers perceive the severity and vulnerability of external threats: the greater the perceived response efficacy, the greater the adoption of a new service, in a manner that can rival the perceived usefulness and ease of use.

Generation Z’s adoption of IoT: protection motivation theory as the underlying model and gender as a moderator

PurposeThe factors that motivate Generation Z individuals to use the Internet of Things for security purposes have yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to close a research gap by verifying the protection motivation theory using gender as a moderator.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a purposive sampling approach to collect data from Dhaka city, in which 370 valid responses were selected. Additionally, the quantitative and cross-sectional survey used a seven-point Likert scale. Afterward, the evaluation approach included three phases: a measurement model, a structural model and multi-group analysis.FindingsVulnerability, self-efficacy and response-efficacy were discovered to be critical predictors with a variance of 60.4%. Moreover, there was a significant disparity between males and females in two relationships, response efficacy and intention as well as response cost and intention.Practical implicationsThis research expands our understanding of Generation Z consumers' behavioral intentions to take measures against household threats, allowing preventative programs to be improved. Further, in the case of applying coping strategies, a practical difference between males and females has been found that must be bridged through awareness campaigns.Originality/valueThis study has made a unique contribution to the information system literature. First, the role of protection motivation theory factors in addressing security concerns in homes has been assessed. Second, the coping evaluation process has a greater impact on users' intentions than the threat appraisal process. However, males and females use slightly different approaches to defending themselves against the threat.

Elaborating the concept of threat in contingency theory: An integration with moral outrage and situational crisis communication theory

The notion of threat is central to contingency theory in general and its specific applications to crisis communication. Contingency theory researchers have noted how the concept of threat needs to be developed in more depth. This paper integrates moral outrage into the threat appraisal model by refining and reusing the threat level variable. We advance an explanation of extreme threat level crises based upon moral outrage and articulate a series of propositions about their effects on the threat appraisal process. Specifically, this manuscript incorporates research related to extreme crises and moral outrage to advance the new conceptualization of threat appraisal that features the role of emotions in crisis communication theory and practice. We believe enhancing threat assessment improves the application of contingency theory to crisis communication and may be a factor to consider more generally for how threat is conceptualized within contingency theory.

Beyond adaptive security coping behaviors: Theory and empirical evidence

Extant research seldom focuses on maladaptive security coping behaviors. Applying the extended parallel process model, this study has developed a research model to reveal the processes underlying users’ adaptive and maladaptive security coping behaviors. The model is empirically examined along with alternative models. Results show that perceived coping efficacy is the most influencing factor promoting adaptive coping behaviors and deterring maladaptive coping behaviors. Fear plays a mediating role in the threat appraisal process and leads to adaptive and maladaptive coping behaviors. Trust in the Internet as the contextual factor influences the threat and coping appraisal processes and adaptive coping behaviors.

Waste Management Behavior of Households in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Enhancing demand side management is among the focus of Malaysia in its effort to pursue green growth throughout 2016 to 2020. Per capita waste disposal in the country is 0.3 to 1.2 kg and only a mere 2% is recycled. There is huge potential for reducing solid wastes in the country through a more sustainable waste management approach such as reducing, recycling and proper disposal. This paper explores the result of a quantitative study conducted via a survey questionnaire on 118 households around Klang Valley. Applying the protection motivation theory, an ordinary least squares regression is applied to data to determine the significant factors affecting waste management behavior of households. Several elements of waste management behavior are investigated, such as waste avoidance, green purchases and reuse and recycle behavior. Results of study show that coping and threat appraisal processes significantly affect waste disposal and reuse and recycle behavior. For green purchasing and waste avoidance behavior, they are affected by coping appraisal but not threat appraisal process. The study suggests that if the government can promote the information on how severe contaminated environments can have on humans and their surroundings, it can lead to more responsible disposal of waste as well as can increase reuse and recycling activities of households. Apart from that, highlighting the positive impact an individual person’s action can bring to the environment may increase reuse and recycling, waste avoidance and disposal and green purchase activities of the society, particularly the households.

Dispositional mindfulness as an antecedent of privacy concerns: A protection motivation theory perspective

AbstractThis study investigates the effects of mindfulness, an important personality trait, on people's perceptions of privacy. Using protection motivation theory as a conceptual foundation, the central tenet is that mindfulness plays an important role in people's threat appraisal process of privacy concerns and thus influences one's intention to share personal information online. A survey‐based approach was employed to measure privacy attitudes of 685 UK individuals about online data disclosure. Our findings demonstrate that mindfulness contributes to the formation of privacy concerns. A more mindful consumer is more likely to adopt a more objective appraisal style, interpret privacy threats as less threatening, and thus share personal information online.

Examining the Role of Deception on Employees’ Threat Appraisal Process, Coping Appraisal Process and Unethical Behavior in Organization

The purpose of this study is to examine whether deception influences unethical behavior, employee perceptions of threat, and their coping appraisal processes. It also examines the role of deception in influencing employees' threat appraisal and coping appraisal processing. Using the structural equation model (PLS-SEM), this study reveals a strong relationship between deception, unethical behavior, employees' perceived threat appraisal process, and the coping appraisal process. The empirical findings suggest that deception is a common practice in organizations and significantly influences unethical behavior. This study also finds that deception plays a crucial role in reducing employees' perceptions of threat regarding negative outcomes for engaging in unethical behavior while significantly influencing employees' perceived coping appraisal process, which suggests that deceptive behavior can protect them from the threat of detection their unethical behavior. The findings provide new insights into the relationship among deception, employees' perceived threat appraisal process, coping appraisal process, and unethical behavior and paves the way for further research in this area.JEL Classification: L3, M1, M10, M14, M48How to Cite:Jannat, T., Omar, N. A., & Alam, S. H. (2021). Is Deception an Antecedent for Employees’ Cognitive Appraisal Proceses and Unethical Behavior?. Etikonomi, 20(1), 153 – 168. https://doi.org/10.15408/etk.v20i1.15433.

Can Corporate Ethics Programs Reduce Unethical Behavior? Threat Appraisal or Coping Appraisal

While a corporate ethics program is expected to reduce employees’ unethical behavior, understanding the effects of the ethics program elements on reducing the unethical behavior is a crucial issue. This study aims to explore how a corporate ethics program with multiple control elements, including punishment, monitoring, internal reporting, code of ethics, ethics support service and ethics training, influence employees’ threat appraisal process, coping appraisal process and unethical behavior at workplaces. The data to verify proposed research hypotheses were collected by administering questionnaire survey on four autonomous government organizations in Bangladesh. Research findings show that only punishment and monitoring have significantly negative relationships with unethical behavior. Monitoring and internal reporting have significantly positive relationships with threat appraisal. The code of ethics, ethics support service and ethics training are associated positively with coping appraisal. The mediation results reveal that coping appraisal mediates the relationship between ethics program elements and unethical behavior; but the mediation effects of threat appraisal are not significant. This study provides valuable insights into how a corporate ethics program with multiple control elements reduces employees’ unethical behavior as well as how employees’ threat and coping appraisal processes are related to the corporate ethics program and unethical behavior in organizations.

Dust Phenomenon: Threat Appraisal of Cardiovascular Patients

Introduction: Dust phenomenon is a major environmental problem in world that threatens the middle-east countries specifically. In order to develop a need-based policy and regulate the supporting health program to reduce dust effects requires a proper understanding of the public beliefs about threats posed by this issue. The purpose of this study was to explain the threat appraisal patients with cardiovascular diseases regarding exposure to dust phenomena. Method: This qualitative content-analysis study was conducted from January to June 2018. The participants included 28 cardiovascular patients who referred to the healthcare centers in Ahvaz City. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with open-ended questions and inspiration from threat appraisal process constructs were used to collect data. All data were gathered, transcribed, and analyzed using MAXQDA-10 software and in-depth analysis. Findings: Perceived threat constructs were used and 4 categories and 9 sub-categories were extracted: perceived likelihood of exposure to dust (perceived likelihood of increased non-respiratory problems, perceived likelihood of increased respiratory problems), belief in seriousness and danger of exposure to dust (understanding the severity of physical complications, understanding the severity of mental and psychological complications, understanding the severity of economic complications), external reward of exposure to dust (improving personal and social relationships, improving financial problems), internal reward of exposure to dust (pleasant feeling). Conclusion: This study provided a clearer and deeper understanding of the threat posed by exposure to dust among cardiovascular patients. Based on the results, the authorities can design more targeted and more effective protective plans to raise awareness among community members, especially cardiovascular patients about the negative effects of exposure to dust and the ways to reduce its exposure.

A quantitative textual analysis of three types of threat communication and subsequent maladaptive responses

Much research attention has been given to the behavioral outcomes of warning computer users about potential threats to their information security, primarily through the use of fear appeal messaging. This study explores not only the use of other types of external threat information (including vivid messaging and observational learning) but also the textual responses of computer users receiving the information, opening up the “black box” to their threat appraisal processes. Results indicate that maladaptive perceptions can appear throughout the appraisal process and that the type of external threat information can differently influence user attitudes.

Dread of uncertain pain: An event-related potential study.

Humans experience more stress about uncertain situations than certain situations. However, the neural mechanism underlying the uncertainty of a negative stimulus has not been determined. In the present study, event-related potential was recorded to examine neural responses during the dread of unpredictable pain. We used a cueing paradigm in which predictable cues were always followed by electric shocks, unpredictable cues by electric shocks at a 50/50 ratio and safe cues by no electric shock. Visual analogue scales following electric shocks were presented to quantify subjective anxiety levels. The behavioral results showed that unpredictable cues evoked high-level anxiety compared with predictable cues in both painful and unpainful stimulation conditions. More importantly, the ERPs results revealed that unpredictable cues elicited a larger P200 at parietal sites than predictable cues. In addition, unpredictable cues evoked larger P200 compared with safe cues at frontal electrodes and compared with predictable cues at parietal electrodes. In addition, larger P3b and LPP were observed during perception of safe cues compared with predictable cues at frontal and central electrodes. The similar P3b effect was also revealed in the left sites. The present study underlined that the uncertain dread of pain was associated with threat appraisal process in pain system. These findings on early event-related potentials were significant for a neural marker and development of therapeutic interventions.

Prevalence and predictors of complementary and alternative medicine use among people with coronary heart disease or at risk for this in the sixth Troms\xf8 study: a comparative analysis using protection motivation theory

BackgroundEngagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as healthy diet and regular physical activity, are known to reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is known to be associated with having a healthy lifestyle. The primary aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of CAM use in CHD patients, and in those without CHD but at risk for developing CHD, using Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) as a guiding conceptual framework.MethodQuestionnaire data were collected from 12,981 adult participants in the cross-sectional sixth Tromsø Study (2007–8). Eligible for analyses were 11,103 participants who reported whether they had used CAM or not. Of those, 830 participants reported to have or have had CHD (CHD group), 4830 reported to have parents, children or siblings with CHD (no CHD but family risk), while 5443 reported no CHD nor family risk of CHD. We first compared the patterns of CAM use in each group, and then examined the PMT predictors of CAM use. Health vulnerability from the threat appraisal process of PMT was assessed by self-rated health and expectations for future health. Response efficacy from the coping appraisal process of PMT was assessed as preventive health beliefs and health behavior frequency.ResultsUse of CAM was most commonly seen in people with no CHD themselves, but family risk of developing CHD (35.8%), compared to people already diagnosed with CHD (30.2%) and people with no CHD nor family risk (32.1%). All four of the PMT factors; self-rated health, expectations for future health, preventive health beliefs, and the health behavior index – were predictors for CAM use in the no CHD but family risk group.ConclusionThese findings suggest that people use CAM in response to a perceived risk of developing CHD, and to prevent disease and to maintain health.

A neural mediator of human anxiety sensitivity.

Advances in the neuroscientific understanding of bodily autonomic awareness, or interoception, have led to the hypothesis that human trait anxiety sensitivity (AS)-the fear of bodily autonomic arousal-is primarily mediated by the anterior insular cortex. Despite broad appeal, few experimental studies have comprehensively addressed this hypothesis. We recruited 55 individuals exhibiting a range of AS and assessed them with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during aversive fear conditioning. For each participant, three primary measures of interest were derived: a trait Anxiety Sensitivity Index score; an in-scanner rating of elevated bodily anxiety sensations during fear conditioning; and a corresponding estimate of whole-brain functional activation to the conditioned versus nonconditioned stimuli. Using a voxel-wise mediation analysis framework, we formally tested for 'neural mediators' of the predicted association between trait AS score and in-scanner anxiety sensations during fear conditioning. Contrary to the anterior insular hypothesis, no evidence of significant mediation was observed for this brain region, which was instead linked to perceived anxiety sensations independently from AS. Evidence for significant mediation was obtained for the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex-a finding that we argue is more consistent with the hypothesized role of human cingulofrontal cortex in conscious threat appraisal processes, including threat-overestimation. This study offers an important neurobiological validation of the AS construct and identifies a specific neural substrate that may underlie high AS clinical phenotypes, including but not limited to panic disorder.

The sufficiency of the theory of planned behavior for explaining information security policy compliance

Purpose – This paper aims to challenge the assumption that the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) includes all constructs that explain information security policy compliance and investigates if anticipated regret or constructs from the protection motivation theory add explanatory power. The TPB is an established theory that has been found to predict compliance with information security policies well. Design/methodology/approach – Responses from 306 respondents at a research organization were collected using a questionnaire-based survey. Extensions in terms of anticipated regret and constructs drawn from the protection motivation theory are tested using hierarchical regression analysis. Findings – Adding anticipated regret and the threat appraisal process results in improvements of the predictions of intentions. The improvements are of sufficient magnitude to warrant adjustments of the model of the TPB when it is used in the area of information security policy compliance. Originality/value – This study is the first test of anticipated regret as a predictor of information security policy compliance and the first to assess its influence in relation to the TPB and the protection motivation theory.

Stress as adaptation? A test of the adaptive boost hypothesis among Batswana men

Many studies have found elevated cortisol linked to negative events (“stress”) and subsequent negative outcomes, such as reduced immunity and stunted growth, leading to the conclusion that high cortisol is “bad.” However, a growing number of studies have found more advantaged groups showing relatively elevated cortisol. For example, higher morning cortisol followed by a steeper diurnal decline among Caucasians compared to ethnic minorities has been interpreted as a context-specific “adaptive boost” to meet daily demands. We tested the adaptive boost hypothesis using data on socioeconomic status, depressive affect and salivary cortisol among adult men (n=32) in Botswana. Three findings emerged: (i) depressive affect was associated with lower morning cortisol (r=−0.43, p=0.014); (ii) depressive affect was associated with a diurnal increase in cortisol when comparing morning and evening samples (r=0.49, p=0.004); and (iii) depressive affect was associated with lower income (r=−0.55, p=0.001). Findings are consistent with the adaptive boost hypothesis and add to a growing body of evidence that elevated cortisol is not universally bad. Hypothalamic–pituitary adrenal axis (HPAA) activity, such as cortisol, may be adaptive depending on a person's contextual circumstances. Based on our findings and those of previous studies, we develop a “person-in-context” model of the threat appraisal process. Integrated with life history theory, our model facilitates testable hypotheses about intra- and inter-individual variability in HPAA and adaptive consequences.

Attentional bias towards angry faces in childhood anxiety disorders

ObjectiveTo examine attentional bias towards angry and happy faces in 8–12 year old children with anxiety disorders (n=29) and non-anxious controls (n=24). MethodChildren completed a visual-probe task in which pairs of angry/neutral and happy/neutral faces were displayed for 500ms and were replaced by a visual probe in the spatial location of one of the faces. ResultsChildren with more severe anxiety showed an attentional bias towards angry relative to neutral faces, compared with anxious children who had milder anxiety and non-anxious control children, both of whom did not show an attentional bias for angry faces. Unexpectedly, all groups showed an attentional bias towards happy faces relative to neutral ones. ConclusionsAnxiety symptom severity increases attention to threat stimuli in anxious children. This association may be due to differing threat appraisal processes or emotion regulation strategies.

Attentional Bias for Emotional Faces in Children With Generalized Anxiety Disorder

To examine attentional bias for angry and happy faces in 7- to 12-year-old children with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; n = 23) and nonanxious controls (n = 25). Children completed a visual probe task in which pairs of face stimuli were displayed for 500 milliseconds and were replaced by a visual probe in the spatial location of one of the faces. Severely anxious children with GAD showed an attentional bias toward both angry and happy faces. Children with GAD with a milder level of anxiety and nonanxious controls did not show an attentional bias toward emotional faces. Moreover, within the GAD group, attentional bias for angry faces was associated with increased anxiety severity and the presence of social phobia. Biased attention toward threat as a function of increased severity in pediatric GAD may reflect differing threat appraisal processes or emotion regulation strategies.

Self-regulatory Processes in the Adoption and Maintenance of Health Behaviors

Specific psychological constructs and comprehensive models or theories have been designed to account for individual differences in the way people abstain from risk behaviors, adopt health behaviors, and succeed or fail in self-regulatory attempts. The present article traces the development of recent health behavior theories and relates them to research in the fields of motivation and self-regulation. Special emphasis is placed on optimism, both as a state and as a trait construct within self-regulatory processes. It is argued that optimistic self-beliefs may be phase-specific. For example, some individuals may have high confidence in their ability to set ambitious goals, whereas others may have high confidence in their ability to recover from setbacks. Moreover, a distinction is made between goal attainment processes and threat appraisal processes. Thus, emotions and behavior may differ when striving for superior health goals as opposed to coping with health threats. The present considerations are put forward to further elaborate the author's Health Action Process Approach (HAPA).

Psychosocial predictors of AIDS risk behavior and drug use behavior in homeless and drug addicted women of color.

The present study examined a causal model consisting of personal and social resources, threat appraisal processes, coping styles, and barriers to risk reduction as predictors of general AIDS risk and specific drug use behaviors among homeless African American (N = 714) and Latina (N = 691) women. The model, which was based on a stress and coping framework, supported many of the hypothesized relationships. Active coping was associated with fewer general AIDS risk behaviors for both groups and less specific drug use behavior among African American women. Specific drug use behavior was predicted by high threat appraisal and avoidant coping for both groups. Ethnic differences and implications for intervention are discussed.