On the issue of cultural influence on risk perception

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the influence of e-health literacy on infectious disease prevention behaviors among young adults in their 20s and 40s based on the information–motivation–behavioral skills model and to test the mediating effect of infectious disease risk perception on this relationship.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey study included young adults aged 20–40 years recruited through anonymous snowball sampling using online communities and social media. Variables were measured using the Korean version of the K-eHealth Literacy Scale, infectious disease risk perception, and self-reported infectious disease prevention behaviors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and Pearson’s correlation analysis, and the mediating effect of infectious disease risk perception was tested using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 4).ResultsThe mean of the main variables in this study was 3.55 for e-health literacy, 3.09 for risk perception, and 3.99 for preventive behaviors. Correlation analysis showed that preventive behaviors were significantly positively related to e-health literacy (r = 0.22, p < 0.001) and risk perception (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), and that e-health literacy was significantly positively related to risk perception (r = 0.22, p < 0.001). Preventive behaviors differed significantly according to sex, employment status, diagnosis experience, and quarantine experience. In the regression analysis, e-health literacy had a significant effect on risk perception (B = 0.120, p = 0.005) and in its total effect on preventive behaviors (B = 0.103, p = 0.041). However, after controlling for risk perception, the direct effect of e-health literacy was not significant (B = 0.055, p = 0.255), and only risk perception had a significant effect on preventive behaviors (B = 0.401, p < 0.001). A significant indirect effect of e-health literacy on preventive behaviors was confirmed by the mediation analysis (B = 0.048, 95% confidence interval [0.016, 0.086]) and a full mediation effect of risk perception.Conclusione-health literacy education alone is insufficient, and interventions that combine accurate risk communication and perception enhancement are needed. Tailored programs that consider life contexts, such as the workplace, may be effective in improving preventive behaviors among young adults.

Two survey approaches to measuring cultural effects on risk views have been developed, both informed by the grid/group approach of Douglas and Wildavsky, well known to many risk analysts. Using data from an online national US panel, confirmatory factor analyses were conducted of ‘cultural theory’ (CT) and ‘cultural cognition theory’ (CCT) measures, which respectively purport to measure (1) four worldviews or cultural biases – hierarchism, individualism, egalitarianism, and fatalism – using both individual items and longer statements, and (2) indices of grid (hierarchism-egalitarianism) and group (individualism-communitarianism) using individual items. Confirmatory factor analyses showed CT measures (items and statements) tended to cluster as expected (i.e. four worldviews), particularly items which on their own exhibited the best fit, while CCT items loaded on the two hypothesized dimensions but with poor fit (particularly the reversed egalitarian and communitarian items to represent high-grid and low-group, respectively). Combining all measures representing the four cultural biases, or adding in the communitarian subscale for CCT, also created plausibly coherent factoring (e.g. hierarchical measures from CT and CCT loaded together, as did the CT-fatalist items and statements with the CCT-communitarian items), but model fit was poor again. Depending upon the criterion used, CT or CCT items’ factor scores appeared the superior predictor of personal and U.S. risk perceptions, but overall predictive validity was modest. These results were somewhat improved among those with high (versus low) political knowledge. If survey-based research on culture’s role in risk views is to thrive, further scholarly attention to such measurement issues is warranted.

Social science theories and empirical data on perceptions of environmental risk have focused almost exclusively on factors related to frequently occurring disagreements between the lay population and technical experts. Discussions of variability within the nonexpert population itself are uncommon, even though theories of risk and culture, as well as empirical evidence, suggest that significant differences in judgments may occur within a diverse population such as that in the United States. Perceptions of risk are influenced, in part, by characteristic ways in which situations of uncertainty are framed and interpreted. Because culturally based attitudes and values can influence general orientation toward risk and uncertainty, it is reasonable to expect that factors differentiating individuals on the basis of shared experiences, values, and beliefs relevant to risk evaluation will be associated with nonequivalent perceptions in many situations. One such variable, ethnicity, is examined for its association with variability in perceptions of environmental risk. The authors review available evidence indicating when ethnic differences in risk perceptions have been observed, and consider three hypotheses that could explain why ethnicity would be predictive of dissimilarities in judgments for many environmental risks. Possible explanations for an ethnicity effect include differences in prior experiences with or exposure to various hazards, dissimilar general beliefs about risk and uncertainty, and differences on various qualitative dimensions that influence nonexpert assessments of risk.

The study examined the influence of commercial bus drivers’ age, and experience on their risk perception on the road. This was with a view to assessing the roles played by the variables on the driving behaviour of commercial bus drivers. Primary data were used in the study. It involved systematic observation and the use of questionnaire. Participatory observation was conducted, and questionnaire administered on commercial bus drivers travelling in and out of Ile-Ife, Ilesa, and Osogbo. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used. A total of 92 drivers were used for the study. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that the commercial bus drivers’ age have no significant influence on their risk perception. The influence of driving experience of commercial bus drivers on their risk perception was found to be statistically insignificant too. The study concluded that commercial bus drivers, irrespective of their age or driving experience, need to periodically attend training programmes, as a matter of duty, to improve their risk perception and by extension their driving behaviour. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Times New Roman; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

This study examines the relationships among risk perception, self-efficacy, and career-related anxiety among higher vocational students. Specifically, risk perception is conceptualized as students perceived uncertainty regarding employment and future career prospects. Data were collected from 300 higher vocational students enrolled in educational institutions in Guangdong Province, China, using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using statistical techniques including descriptive analysis, reliability and validity testing, correlation analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM), and one-way ANOVA. The results indicate a moderate positive relationship between risk perception and self-efficacy and weak but statistically significant positive relationships between risk perception and anxiety, as well as between self-efficacy and anxiety. Structural model findings reveal that risk perception has a stronger direct effect on anxiety compared to self-efficacy, although the overall explanatory power of the model remains limited. The findings suggest that higher levels of perceived career uncertainty are associated with increased anxiety among vocational students. Contrary to conventional expectations, self-efficacy demonstrates a weak positive association with anxiety, which may reflect heightened awareness of career challenges among more confident students. These findings highlight the importance of addressing employment-related uncertainties and strengthening students’ psychological preparedness to support their mental well-being and academic development.

Risk perception for HIV infection is an important determinant for engaging in HIV prevention behaviour. We investigate the degree to which HIV risk perception is accurate, i.e. corresponds to actual HIV infection risks, in a general-population open-cohort study in Zimbabwe (2003–2013) including 7201 individuals over 31,326 person-years. Risk perception for future infection (no/yes) at the beginning of periods between two surveys was associated with increased risk of HIV infection (Cox regression hazard ratio = 1.38 [1.07–1.79], adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour, and partner behaviour). The association was stronger among older people (25+ years). This suggests that HIV risk perception can be accurate but the higher HIV incidence (1.27 per 100 person-years) illustrates that individuals may face barriers to HIV prevention behaviour even when they perceive their risks. Gaps in risk perception are underlined by the high incidence among those not perceiving a risk (0.96%), low risk perception even among those reporting potentially risky sexual behaviour, and, particularly, lack of accuracy of risk perception among young people. Innovative interventions are needed to improve accuracy of risk perception but barriers to HIV prevention behaviours need to be addressed too, which may relate to the partner, community, or structural factors.

ObjectivesThe accuracy of patients' perception of risk is important for decisions about treatment in many diseases. We framed the risk of fracture and benefits of treatment in different ways and...

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened individuals’ risk perception and increased their protective behaviors to minimize unnecessary contact with others. While existing studies have explored behavioral changes in response to the pandemic, few have examined the dynamic interplay between risk perception, protective behaviors, and contextual factors, largely due to the limitations of short-term or cross-sectional data. This study used 80 repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted throughout the pandemic to track the risk perception and protective behavior of Koreans. We adopted a one-way ANOVA model and a conceptual SEM to examine the differences in risk perception and protective behavior across various socio-demographic groups. The variables considered were individuals’ risk perception, protective behaviors, and the external environment such as the number of confirmed cases and government quarantine measures for exploring their associations with public transit usage. The results indicate that individuals' risk perception is significantly influenced by their surrounding environment. Individuals with heightened risk perception are likely to adopt preventive measures, which in turn impact their public transit ridership. We also provide compelling evidence on how risk perception and protective behavior related to COVID-19 evolved over time, influenced not only by public health policies but also by individuals’ socio-demographic characteristics. Last, this study empirically demonstrates the occurrence of psychic numbing resulting from repeated exposure to a persistent threat. These findings underscore the importance of adaptive public health strategies and targeted communication to address the varying perceptions across different socio-demographic groups, contributing to a more resilient public transit system. This study highlights the importance of adaptive transit operations, sustained safety measures, and continuous public engagement during future pandemics. • COVID-19 heightened risk perception, prompting increased individual protective behavior. • Repeated cross-sectional surveys captured shifts in Koreans' risk perception over time. • A model based on social cognitive theory assessed group differences in perception. • Environmental factors shaped risk perception, influencing transit use amid psychic numbing. • Findings stress adaptive strategies for resilient public transit during pandemics.

The main focus of this study is the reciprocal effects between brand personality, brand image, perceive risk and customer’s satisfaction of low-salt soy sauce, fermented milk drink made of vegetable, adlay milk of NPUST. The research subject is the customer of NPUST university community consuming cooperative, A total of 485 questionnaires were sent out, and 470 valid ones were collected. The effective response rate is 96.9 percent. The study adopted SPSS 12.0 for windows and applied t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson product- moment correlation and path analysis to analyze data. The findings were as follows: 1. Demographihic variables to low-salt soy sauce, fermented milk drink made of vegetable and adlay milk Brand Personality, Brand Image, Perceived Risk and Customer’s Satisfaction have significant distinctions, age, occupational, degree of education and personal average per month salary four Demographihic variables is main factor of differences. 2. Brand personality has a positive influence on customer’s satisfaction. 3. Brand image directly affects customer’s satisfaction.

Truckers with OSA, Should They Be Driving?

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on people's health and well-being. The crisis also threw into sharp relief the fact that police officers faced an increased risk of developing mental health problems. The main purpose of this study was to explore the effects of work stress and risk perception on the mental health of police officers during the epidemic. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among police officers in Wuhan city, China, and data were collected from 11 March to 12 May 2022. A total of 358 questionnaires were received, of which 302 were considered valid. The questionnaires included demographic information, work stress scale, Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) and epidemic risk perception scale. Descriptive analyses, one-way analysis of variance and linear regression were used to analyze the data. The prevalence of mental health problems was 38.74% among the surveyed police officers. The results indicated that the total score of SCL-90 and its subdimensions were positively correlated with work stress and risk perception. Moreover, we found that three factors were relevant to the police's mental health: age, marital status, and education. Front-line police officers tend to show a higher prevalence of symptoms of mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that increased work stress and risk perception may adversely affect police officers' mental health. Consequently, policy-makers and police organizations should establish an internal mental health problem coping team to improve police officers' mental health resilience.

Risk perception is a phenomenon in search of an explanation. Several approaches are discussed in this paper. Technical risk estimates are sometimes a potent factor in accounting for perceived risk, but in many important applications it is not. Heuristics and biases, mainly availability, account for only a minor portion of risk perception, and media contents have not been clearly implicated in risk perception. The psychometric model is probably the leading contender in the field, but its explanatory value is only around 20% of the variance of raw data. Adding a factor of "unnatural risk" considerably improves the psychometric model. Cultural Theory, on the other hand, has not been able to explain more than 5-10% of the variance of perceived risk, and other value scales have similarly failed. A model is proposed in which attitude, risk sensitivity, and specific fear are used as explanatory variables; this model seems to explain well over 30-40% of the variance and is thus more promising than previous approaches. The model offers a different type of psychological explanation of risk perception, and it has many implications, e.g., a different approach to the relationship between attitude and perceived risk, as compared with the usual cognitive analysis of attitude.

Environmental risks give urgency to the need to understand the society–nature relationship. While the ecosystem services (ES) framework allows analysis of interrelationships between biophysical supply and human demand for natural resources, further research is needed to understand what drives societal demand for ES. Here, I explore how incorporation of the key sociological theories of risk (systems theory, ‘world risk society’, and cultural theory of risk) can advance this understanding. By examining these theories, the following key insights were identified: (1) A deeper understanding of societal structures and risk perception helps to understand culturally driven patterns of ES demand; (2) sociological ES research must use inter- and transdisciplinary methods to understand the drivers of ES demand and risk perception. It must also link this understanding to the natural sciences’ knowledge of the drivers of ES supply if it is to identify new instruments of environmental governance; (3) while anthropocentric in character, the ES framework, especially one that is modified by the concept of risk, enables society to reflect on its role as a proactive part of a social–ecological system, rather than a passive victim of nature’s whims. This change in perspective may prove to be a key step in achieving sustainable development.

The Climate Change Risk Perception Model (CCRPM, Van der Linden, 2015) has been used to characterize public risk perceptions; however, little is known about the model’s explanatory power in other (online) contexts. In this study, we extend the model and investigate the risk perceptions of a unique audience: The polarized climate change blogosphere. In total, our model explained 84% of the variance in risk perceptions by integrating socio-demographic characteristics, cognitive factors, experiential processes, socio-cultural influences, and an additional dimension: Trust in scientists and blogs. Although trust and the scientific consensus are useful additions to the model, affect remains the most important predictor of climate change risk perceptions. Surprisingly, the relative importance of social norms and value orientations is minimal. Implications for risk and science communication are discussed.

The complex issue of public response to wildfire risks has become more of a challenge due to increasing numbers of people migrating closer to the wildland-urban interface. We utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Cultural Theory (CT) to study the relationship between one's individual perspective toward risk and the decision to mitigate it. We examined the extent to which individual worldview as a measurement of risk perception influences an individual’s intention to mitigate risk. Based on mail survey data from three fire-prone communities in the Southwest, we utilized structural equation modeling and mediation analysis to determine the antecedents of behavioral intentions for risk reduction and the relationships between individual risk perception factors. Our results indicated that the respondents fell into one of four types of worldviews which are predictive of mitigation intention. Positive attitudes toward practices and perception of having some control over mitigating wildfire risk increased mitigation intention. Decision (Cohen 1992) processes toward wildlife hazard mitigation depended somewhat on attitudes toward established mitigation activities.