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Bodas M, Ragoler M, Rabby Y, Krasner E. The Effect of Risk Communication on Public Behavior to Non-Conventional Terrorism-Randomized Control Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:ijerph19010342. [PMID: 35010599 PMCID: PMC8751006 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Non-conventional terrorism (NCT) incorporates an extended dimension of uncertainty that can lead to fear among the public. Health officials have an unsubstantiated assumption that thousands will seek treatment in hospitals following NCT. This study aims to examine public behavioral intentions in the case of NCT and the effect of risk communication on intents. An online randomized controlled trial was conducted among 1802 adult participants in Israel. Threat perception and behavioral intent before and after exposure to hypothetical NCT scenarios were assessed stratified to the type of media, exposure to rumors, and risk communication. The majority (~64%) of participants are aware of the NCT threat. Almost half (45%) of participants indicated a "high" or "very high" chance of seeking medical attention following an NCT incident. Regression analysis suggests that the odds of participants exposed to risk communication to report an elevated intent of seeking medical attention were 0.470 (95% CI: 0.359, 0.615) times that of participants not exposed to risk communication, χ2 = 30.366, p < 0.001. The findings demonstrate the importance of effective risk communication in reducing undesired public behavior during NCT crises. Efforts must be invested to create a robust risk communication infrastructure to allow the proper management of possible NCT incidents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Bodas
- The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan 5262100, Israel;
- The Department of Emergency & Disaster Management, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel
- Correspondence:
| | - Morel Ragoler
- The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat-Gan 5262100, Israel;
| | - Yossi Rabby
- CBRN Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel-Aviv-Yafo 6473424, Israel; (Y.R.); (E.K.)
| | - Esther Krasner
- CBRN Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel-Aviv-Yafo 6473424, Israel; (Y.R.); (E.K.)
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Sebri V, Cincidda C, Savioni L, Ongaro G, Pravettoni G. Worry during the initial height of the COVID-19 crisis in an Italian sample. The Journal of General Psychology 2021; 148:327-359. [PMID: 33522456 DOI: 10.1080/00221309.2021.1878485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the earliest months of 2020, the COVID-19 emergency reached a pandemic status of international concern. In this situation, people tended to think more about current difficulties and their negative consequences due to the fear of infection and changed daily life during quarantine. The aim of this study was to explore the severity of worry in relation to individual characteristics and emotions during COVID-19 outbreak in the Italian people. Socio-demographic questions and standardized self-report questionnaires were administered online. Results highlighted a moderate level of worry, anxiety and distress. People with higher perceptions of COVID-19 severity exhibited higher levels of worry in contrast to those who perceived a greater control over the possibility of infection. Multiple regression analysis indicated that coping styles, emotion regulation strategies and personality traits significantly contributed to explain the variance in worry scores. Findings supported that cognitive reappraisal, emotion-focused coping and extraversion were protective factors for worry, while expressive suppression, dysfunctional and problem-focused coping, and neuroticism were related to high worry. However, neuroticism and dysfunctional coping were particularly important predictors of worry. This paper also considers possible psychological interventions that might be implemented in order to deal with mental health issues emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Sebri
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Clizia Cincidda
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Savioni
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Ongaro
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.,Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Yong AG, Lemyre L, Pinsent C, Krewski D. Risk Perception and Disaster Preparedness in Immigrants and Canadian-Born Adults: Analysis of a National Survey on Similarities and Differences. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2017; 37:2321-2333. [PMID: 28314086 DOI: 10.1111/risa.12797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Research has documented that immigrants tend to experience more negative consequences from natural disasters compared to native-born individuals, although research on how immigrants perceive and respond to natural disaster risks is sparse. We investigated how risk perception and disaster preparedness for natural disasters in immigrants compared to Canadian-born individuals as justifications for culturally-adapted risk communication and management. To this end, we analyzed the ratings on natural disaster risk perception beliefs and preparedness behaviors from a nationally representative survey (N = 1,089). Factor analyses revealed three underlying psychological dimensions of risk perception: external responsibility for disaster management, self-preparedness responsibility, and illusiveness of preparedness. Although immigrants and Canadian-born individuals shared the three-factor structure, there were differences in the salience of five risk perception beliefs. Despite these differences, immigrants and Canadian-born individuals were similar in the level of risk perception dimensions and disaster preparedness. Regression analyses revealed self-preparedness responsibility and external responsibility for disaster management positively predicted disaster preparedness whereas illusiveness of preparedness negatively predicted disaster preparedness in both groups. Our results showed that immigrants' risk perception and disaster preparedness were comparable to their Canadian-born counterparts. That is, immigrant status did not necessarily yield differences in risk perception and disaster preparedness. These social groups may benefit from a risk communication and management strategy that addresses these risk perception dimensions to increase disaster preparedness. Given the diversity of the immigrant population, the model remains to be tested by further population segmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Gie Yong
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Louise Lemyre
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Celine Pinsent
- Groupe d'Analyse Psychosociale de la Santé, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Krewski
- McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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4
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Markon MPL, Crowe J, Lemyre L. Examining uncertainties in government risk communication: citizens' expectations. HEALTH RISK & SOCIETY 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/13698575.2013.796344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Crighton EJ, Brown C, Baxter J, Lemyre L, Masuda J, Ursitti F. Perceptions and experiences of environmental health risks among new mothers: a qualitative study in Ontario, Canada. HEALTH, RISK & SOCIETY 2013; 15:295-312. [PMID: 23805055 PMCID: PMC3687252 DOI: 10.1080/13698575.2013.796345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Revised: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing awareness and concern in contemporary societies about potential health impacts of environmental contaminants on children. Mothers are traditionally more involved than other family members in managing family health and household decisions and thus targeted by public health campaigns to minimise risks. However little is known about how new mothers perceive and experience environmental health risks to their children. In 2010, we undertook a parallel case study using qualitative, in-depth interviews with new mothers and focus groups with public health key informants in two Public Health Units in Ontario Province, Canada. We found that the concern about environmental hazards among participants ranged from having no concerns to actively incorporating prevention into daily life. Overall, there was a common perception among participants that many risks, particularly in the indoor environment, were controllable and therefore of little concern. But environmental risks that originate outside the home were viewed as less controllable and more threatening. In response to such threats, mothers invoked coping strategies such as relying on the capacity of children's bodies to adapt. Regardless of the strategies adopted, actions (or inactions) were contingent upon active information seeking. We also found an optimistic bias in which new mothers reported that other children were at greater risk despite similar environmental circumstances. The findings suggest that risk communication experts must attend to the social and environmental contexts of risk and coping when designing strategies around risk reducing behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. J. Crighton
- Department of Geography, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - C. Brown
- Department of Geography, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - J. Baxter
- Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - L. Lemyre
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - J.R. Masuda
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - F. Ursitti
- Peel Region – Public Health, Environmental Health Division, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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Rubin GJ, Amlôt R, Page L, Pearce J, Wessely S. Assessing perceptions about hazardous substances (PATHS): the PATHS questionnaire. J Health Psychol 2012; 18:1100-13. [PMID: 23104995 PMCID: PMC3785320 DOI: 10.1177/1359105312459096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
How people perceive the nature of a hazardous substance may determine how they respond
when potentially exposed to it. We tested a new Perceptions AbouT Hazardous Substances
(PATHS) questionnaire. In Study 1 (N = 21), we assessed the face validity
of items concerning perceptions about eight properties of a hazardous substance. In Study
2 (N = 2030), we tested the factor structure, reliability and validity of
the PATHS questionnaire across four qualitatively different substances. In Study 3
(N = 760), we tested the impact of information provision on Perceptions
AbouT Hazardous Substances scores. Our results showed that our eight measures demonstrated
good reliability and validity when used for non-contagious hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- G James Rubin
- Department of Psychological Medicine , King's College London, UK.
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