Predicting Intention to Take Protective Measures During Haze: The Roles of Efficacy, Threat, Media Trust, and Affective Attitude.
The annual Southeast Asian haze pollution raises public health concerns in this region. Based on a modified extended parallel process model, this study examines efficacy (self-efficacy and response efficacy) and perceived threat (susceptibility and severity) and incorporates new constructs of media trust and affective attitude. Results from a Web survey of 410 undergraduate students in Singapore show that response efficacy to seek haze-related information mediates the association between perceived self-efficacy and intention to take protective measures during haze. Moreover, self-efficacy is negatively associated with affective attitude (e.g., fear and worry) toward haze-related health problems. Next, perceived severity and perceived susceptibility are positively associated with response efficacy and affective attitude. Affective attitude toward haze is a stronger predictor than response efficacy for behavioral intention. Finally, trust in new media is positively associated with young Singaporeans' affective attitude, which positively affects their behavioral intention to take protective measures.
a Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information , Nanyang Technological University , Singapore.
Trisha T C
TT
Lin
a Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information , Nanyang Technological University , Singapore.
John Robert
JR
Bautista
D000339:Affect; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012846:Singapore; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult