An analysis of multiple factors relating to teachers' problematic information security behavior

IS professionals’ information security behaviors in Chinese IT organizations for information security protection

In 2023, transit ridership in most global cities is still below pre-COVID levels. While transit avoidance due to perceived infection fear is a key issue affecting patronage recovery, behavioural models to explain post-pandemic transit use and perceived infection fear are very limited and have not been widely adopted in research. This paper develops an extended theoretical model of transit avoidance from perceived infection fear that integrates Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) with normative influences; namely personal norm and social norm, as well as a measure of infection anxiety. This extended model is measured with a structural equation model (SEM) using data collected from a large online survey in Melbourne, Australia. Additionally, the mediating effects of personal norm, social influence and infection anxiety on transit avoidance is explored and the impact of home relocation is analysed. Results show that higher protection motivation is strongly related to post-COVID transit avoidance. Moreover, personal norm is a stronger predictor of protection motivation compared to threat appraisal and coping appraisal. Infection anxiety also has a significant positive relationship with protection motivation, suggesting that perceived infection fear is still affecting transit avoidance. Comparing the model results, it is evident that while the conventional PMT is effective in predicting long-term transit avoidance, the extended PMT model shows a better goodness-of-fit and explanatory power. Therefore, the extended PMT model developed for this study provides a deeper understanding of the relationships between protection motivation and post-COVID transit avoidance. Several implications for research and practice are suggested. 246 words.

PurposeInformation security is a growing issue that impacts organizations in virtually all industries, and data breaches impact millions of customers and cost organizations millions of dollars. Within the past several years alone, huge data breaches have been experienced by organizations such as Marriot, Equifax, eBay, JP Morgan Chase, Home Depot, Target and Yahoo, the latter of which impacted three billion users. This study aims to examine the utilization of pre-employment screening to identify potential hires that may require enhanced information security training to avoid such costs.Design/methodology/approachThe authors hypothesize that an individual’s work ethic predicts a person’s information security behavior. The authors test this hypothesis using structural equation modeling with bootstrapping techniques.FindingsData analysis suggests that certain dimensions of work ethic do indeed predict information security posture, and thus, simple pre-employment screening techniques (i.e. questionnaires) can aid in identifying potential security threats.Practical implicationsThe findings provide a tool for identifying problematic employee security posture prior to hiring, which may be useful in identifying training needs for new hires.Originality/valueThe findings provide a tool for identifying problematic employee security posture prior to hiring, which may be useful in identifying training needs for new hires.

This article investigates security behaviours of employees using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a theoretical lens. Given the fact that previous studies on security behaviours paid much attention to conscious information security behaviours; this article extends the HBM to study both habitual or automatic security behaviours (security habit) and conscious security behaviours of Tanzanian government employees. A structural equation modelling (SEM) technique was used for data analysis. The study found that, the intentions of government employees to practice information security behaviour is influenced by perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, and cues to action and security habits. Their intentions, however, is not affected by perceived benefits and self-efficacy. Further, an employee's intentions and security habits has a significant effect on actual security practice. Generally, the extended research model enriches the understanding of the role played by both conscious and habitual security behaviours on information security behaviours of employees.

BackgroundThe rising burden of pediatric allergic diseases underscores parental intentions and behaviors as critical to allergic prevention and management. This study aims to develop and validate a Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) based scale for parents of children with allergic diseases, and to examine the associations between parental protection motivation, their management intentions and behaviors, and pediatric health outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among parents of children with allergic diseases at Hangzhou Children’s Hospital, Zhejiang Province, China, from July to December 2022. The PMT scale was developed using data from a pilot survey (N = 440) and validated in an empirical study (N = 443). Structural equation modeling mapped interconnections between parental protective motivation, intention, and behavior. Multiple linear regression explored PMT dimensions’ association with parental intentions and behaviors, while machine learning models evaluated their clinical relevance to children’s disease outcomes.ResultsThe PMT scale demonstrated good reliability (Cronbach’s α coefficient = 0.844) and validity (χ2/df = 2.918, RMSEA = 0.066, GFI = 0.906, CFI = 0.937, NFI = 0.908, IFI = 0.937, TLI = 0.919). In structural equation model, protection motivation showed significant overall interconnections with parental intention (0.78, p < 0.001). PMT dimensions were associated to 48.2% and 45.5% of the variance in parental intention and behavior related to allergic diseases in multiple linear regressions, with self-efficacy and perceived susceptibility being the most strongly associated factors. Random forest models demonstrated good discrimination in identifying associations between PMT dimensions and children’s atopic severity and attacks, achieving AUC of 0.84 and 0.88 respectively, with all six PMT dimensions among the top-15 related variables.ConclusionsOur findings reveal the relevance of measuring parental protective motivation as captured by the developed PMT scale. It had significant associations with key parental intentions and behaviors in managing childhood atopy. This implies the necessity of refined PMT-based interventions to support outcomes in childhood allergic disease management.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-24580-5.

Objective To observe the influences of nursing intervention in diabetics, guided by protection motivation theory (PMT), of their protection motivation of blood sugar monitoring, frequency of monitoring blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin, and level of their blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin. Methods A total of 100 diabetics eligible for this research were randomly divided into intervention group and control group, each with 50 cases. The patients in the control group were given routine nursing and the patients in the intervention group were given a further 6-month protection motivation theory-based nursing intervention. Changes in protection motivation of blood sugar monitoring, in frequency of monitoring blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin, and in index of blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin were compared. Results Before the intervention, comparison between scores in each dimension of protection motivation in blood sugar monitoring, frequency of monitoring blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin, and values of blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). After the 6-month intervention in the intervention group, the susceptibility score was (6.530±0.952); the self-efficacy score was (9.462±0.617); blood glucose monitoring frequency was (24.126±2.712) times; glycosylated hemoglobin monitoring frequency was (2.080±0.868) times; fast blood sugar was (7.080±0.824)mmol/L; glycosylated hemoglobin was(6.823±0.158)%; the scores and values in the control group were (3.820±0.723), (6.729±1.341), (18.528±2.831) times, (1.812±0.778)times, (8.488±1.592)mmol/L, and (9.853±0.899)%, with significant differences (t=16.742, 8.435, 14.626, 12.489, -15.537, 3.395; P<0.05). Conclusions Nursing interventions guided by protection motivation theory can improve diabetics′ protection motivation and promote behavior of blood sugar monitoring and their metabolic index up to standard. Key words: Diabetes; Protection motivation theory; Blood sugar monitoring

BackgroundNeedle stick injuries (NSI) can lead to dangerous infectious diseases for health care workers. This study aimed to determine the predictors of observance of safe injection guidelines in hospital nursing staff, based on protection motivation theory.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on the nursing staff of five randomly selected teaching and general hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Fars province, Iran, in 2021. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire which was developed based on protection motivation theory. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 22 and Amos 24 at a significance level of < 0.05. Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Multiple linear regression, and Structural Equation Modeling were used.ResultsThe mean age of the participants (No = 280) was 32.5 ± 8.09 years. Most of the participants [80%] had encountered NSI, patients’ blood, or body fluids at least once. Protection motivation was the only predictor of protective behaviors (β = 0.573), while perceived efficacy (β = 0.142) and perceived rewards (β = -0.229) were the strongest predictors of motivation. The structural equation modeling analysis showed that standardized total effects of protection motivation, perceived response costs, rewards, and efficacy on the protective behaviors were 0.573, -0.159, -.104, and 0.81, respectively. While standardized total effects of perceived rewards, efficacy, and response cost on protection motivation were -0.229, 0.142, and -0.033, respectively. The model fit indices indicated the acceptable final model fit.ConclusionThe results suggest that perceived efficacy, perceived effectiveness, and perceived rewards were the most important predictors of adherence to Safe Injection Guidelines in nursing staff.

The last 2023 IPCC report draws attention to the change in the occurrence and frequency of weather extremes and natural hazards (Lee et al., 2023). It emphasizes the urgent need for climate change mitigation and adaptation to counteract the risks to life, nature, values, and societies. A recent study by K&amp;#246;hler et al. (2023) provides insight into the fact that frequent flood experiences increase the willingness to undertake protective actions at the individual level but simultaneously lead to decreased self-reported resilience. Still, there is a gap in understanding why frequent flood experiences influence protective motivation and what other factors play a role. Building upon this, this study explores the role of frequent experience in protective motivation and why more experienced people are more likely to adapt. Also, we introduce a measure for control experience, the individual's perceived efficacy in managing past flood situations, to understand the role of perceived resistance in affecting protective motivation. To meet this aim, we apply Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) from the field of psychology to understand how frequent flood events and control experiences influence coping and threat appraisal, two factors that have been shown to impact people's motivation to change behavior. Structural equation Modeling is used to detect processes and interactions between several variables in one model. The data comes from a survey in Saxony (Germany) in 2020. We find that both the frequency of experienced floods and the control experience increase threat appraisal but decrease coping appraisal. Threat appraisal could, therefore, be a channel through which flood experience positively influences protective motivation. The negative influences of flood experience on coping appraisal could limit this positive impact, at least to some extent. Our findings carry profound implications in understanding better the protective behavior of people who have undergone multiple flood events. We deliver crucial insights into how the frequency of experienced floods, perceived efficacy in managing past flood events, and individual protective behavior are related. &amp;#160;Citations:Lee, H., Calvin, K., Dasgupta, D., Krinner, G., Mukherji, A., Thorne, P., ... &amp;amp; Park, Y. (2023). IPCC, 2023: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report, Summary for Policymakers. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and &amp;#160;&amp;#160; III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing &amp;#160;Team, H. Lee and J. Romero (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland.K&amp;#246;hler, L., Masson, T., K&amp;#246;hler, S., &amp;amp; Kuhlicke, C. (2023). Better prepared but less resilient&amp;#8239;: the paradoxical impact of frequent flood experience on adaptive behavior and resilience. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 23(8), 2787&amp;#8211;2806.

The moderating roles of gender and social norms on the relationship between protection motivation and risky online behavior among in-service teachers

<ns3:p>The ever-increasing generation of municipal solid waste remains an environmental and managerial challenge. Understanding the psychological underpinnings of consumer recycling behavior (CRB) is essential for designing effective interventions. This study develops and tests an integrated conceptual model grounded in Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), Construal Level Theory (CLT), and Regulatory Focus Theory (RFT) to explain the motivational dynamics of CRB. Drawing on a cross-sectional survey of a convenient sample of Malaysian university students (N = 508), the model examines how threat and coping appraisals, psychological distance of environmental harm, and individual regulatory focus shape intention to recycle. Structural equation modeling results confirm that both threat appraisal (perceived severity and vulnerability) and coping appraisal (self-efficacy and response efficacy) significantly predict recycling intention, while perceived cost serves as a behavioral barrier. All four dimensions of psychological distance—temporal, spatial, social, and hypothetical—negatively predict threat appraisal, with perceived vulnerability showing stronger associations than perceived severity. Mediation analyses reveal that threat appraisal fully mediates the effect of psychological distance on recycling intention. Furthermore, the PORCESS analysis conducted to test moderated mediation hypotheses supports the role of regulatory focus: prevention focus attenuates the impact of psychological distance via severity perception, while promotion focus strengthens it. Findings highlight the interplay between cognitive appraisals, perceived distance, and motivational orientation in shaping pro-environmental intentions, offering actionable insights for the design of targeted recycling campaigns and public communication strategies. Implications for theory and policy, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.</ns3:p>

PurposeThis study aims to investigate whether the protection motivation theory (PMT) and religiosity can explain the intention of at-home worship adaptive behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study further explores factors that may affect this adaptive behavior, namely, the intention to adapt behavior, religiosity, social influence and trust in the government.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through an online survey to purposively sample the respondents, resulting in 368 responses that were valid for structural analysis using partial least squares structual equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThis study found that PMT, and not religiosity, directly predicts an individual’s intention to adapt his/her behavior to at-home worship during the pandemic. Religiosity, however, has a role in evoking a coping appraisal that leads to the intention to enact the adaptive behavior. Further, this study found that intention, social influence and trust in the government predict an individual’s adaptive behavior for at-home worship.Practical implicationsThis study may guide the government to create a policy that could enhance people’s adherence to adaptive behavior during the pandemic, particularly regarding their communication strategy by focusing on the cognitive and psychological aspects. In particular, framing based on this study’s result may serve as an insight for better prevention of virus transmission through a focused communications strategy.Originality/valueFirst, the utilization of PMT to explain adaptive behavior in the context of at-home worship during the pandemic was extended. Second, the research of religiosity in the context of a pandemic was advanced and how it influences adaptive behavior was investigated. Finally, the utilization of partial least squares-SEM techniques to investigate individual adaptive behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic was extended.

ABSTRACTBackgroundRabies remains a life‐threatening yet preventable disease, particularly among school‐aged children in Thailand. Understanding how health literacy (HL) and protection motivation theory (PMT) influence rabies protective behaviors (RPB) is vital for school health interventions.MethodsUsing validated questionnaires, a cross‐sectional study was conducted among 1751 Grade 4–6 students in Chonburi Province. HL, PMT constructs, and RPB were measured. Structural equation modeling was used to examine predictive relationships.ResultsHL was a strong predictor of RPB (β = 0.439, p < 0.001), especially in accessing, appraising, and applying health information. PMT constructs, particularly response efficacy and self‐efficacy, also significantly predicted RPB (β = 0.200, p < 0.001). HL levels were higher among older students, private school attendees, and those with stronger academic performance.Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and EquityIntegrating HL and PMT frameworks into rabies education curricula may improve behavioral outcomes. Programs should be developmentally appropriate and address disparities across school types and student performance levels.ConclusionsStrengthening HL and motivational factors through school‐based education and multisectoral collaboration is critical to achieving rabies prevention goals and advancing child health equity in endemic settings.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine factors and mechanism inducing end users' faithful appropriation of information security behavior through the information security system. This study is also trying to find out the role of Employees' adaptive activities like learning and feedback seeking behavior for the information security in organizations. Design/methodology/approach An empirical study was carried out with a sample of employees working in the financial service company. Employees(n = 268) completed a written questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Findings Results indicated that employees' learning activities and feedback seeking behavior fully mediated the effect of major information security factors toward end users' faithfulness of appropriation of information security systems. In order to increase the level of employees information security behavior in accordance with security guideline, organizations should facilitate interactions that support the feedback seeking process between employees on information security awareness and behavior. Additionally, organizations may reinforce these behaviors by periodical training and adopting bounty hunter systems.

As organizations’ interest in information resources expands, their investments in information security (IS), such as the introduction of IS policies and new technologies, are also expanding. Nevertheless, IS incidents and threats within the organization have not decreased. This study aims to protect organizations’ information assets by maintaining the level of continuous IS behavior of the organization insiders. Moreover, this study suggests a method to induce continuous security behavior of individuals by confirming the relationship between IS-related voice behavior and IS-related organizational justice, which is an action concept that provides continuous opinions to achieve security goals. This study derives research models and hypotheses through previous studies and tests hypotheses through structural equation modeling. The target subjects are members of the organization who introduced the IS policy. A total of 325 samples were secured through the questionnaire method, and hypotheses were verified. Results reveal that voice behavior related to IS is negatively influenced by work impediment and positively influenced by organizational identification. In addition, procedural and information justice that influence prior actions related to IS affect the cause of personal security behavior (work impediment and organizational identification). Additionally, justice sensitivity adjusted the impact relationship between IS-related organizational justice and the cause of security behavior. The study presents the importance of voice behavior in maintaining the level of IS within the organization continuously. Moreover, it has practical implications in that efforts to improve organizational justice and voice behaviors vary according to the level of individual justice sensitivity.

Using protection motivation theory (PMT), this study investigates the influence of cognitive assessment and affective response on customers’ behavioral intention amid COVID‐19 in the context of restaurants. More specifically, this research draws attention to (1) the influence of protection motivation (i.e., perceived vulnerability, perceived severity, maladaptive reward, response efficacy, self‐efficacy, response cost) on hope and fear, (2) hope and fear as mediators between protection motivation and behavioral intention, and (3) diverse customer behavioral intentions that have emerged during the COVID‐19 pandemic (i.e., health‐focused behavior, conscious consumption, and the supporting of local businesses and products). A total of 473 completed responses were obtained through an online survey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized relationships. The research model proposed in the study successfully explained the process in which individuals commit to hygienic behaviors, prioritize local restaurants, and engage in conscious consumption under the threat of COVID‐19. The proposed model can be utilized in examining consumer behaviors in the hospitality industry, especially in the COVID‐19 era.