IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2021i1p342-d713767.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Effect of Risk Communication on Public Behavior to Non-Conventional Terrorism—Randomized Control Trial

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

  • 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)

  • Esther Krasner

    (CBRN Defense Division, Ministry of Defense, HaKirya, Tel-Aviv-Yafo 6473424, Israel)

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, χ 2 = 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Moran Bodas & Morel Ragoler & Yossi Rabby & Esther Krasner, 2021. "The Effect of Risk Communication on Public Behavior to Non-Conventional Terrorism—Randomized Control Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-20, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:342-:d:713767
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/1/342/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/1/342/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jennifer E. C. Lee & Louise Lemyre, 2009. "A Social‐Cognitive Perspective of Terrorism Risk Perception and Individual Response in Canada," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(9), pages 1265-1280, September.
    2. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    3. Julia S. Becker & Douglas Paton & David M. Johnston & Kevin R. Ronan, 2013. "Salient Beliefs About Earthquake Hazards and Household Preparedness," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(9), pages 1710-1727, September.
    4. Branden B. Johnson, 1993. "Coping with Paradoxes of Risk Communication: Observations and Suggestions," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(3), pages 241-243, June.
    5. Baruch Fischhoff, 1995. "Risk Perception and Communication Unplugged: Twenty Years of Process," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(2), pages 137-145, April.
    6. Simon, Tomer & Goldberg, Avishay & Adini, Bruria, 2015. "Socializing in emergencies—A review of the use of social media in emergency situations," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 609-619.
    7. Hamid Mohtadi & Antu Panini Murshid, 2009. "Risk Analysis of Chemical, Biological, or Radionuclear Threats: Implications for Food Security," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(9), pages 1317-1335, September.
    8. Kenneth F Schulz & Douglas G Altman & David Moher & for the CONSORT Group, 2010. "CONSORT 2010 Statement: Updated Guidelines for Reporting Parallel Group Randomised Trials," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(3), pages 1-7, March.
    9. Dominic Balog‐Way & Katherine McComas & John Besley, 2020. "The Evolving Field of Risk Communication," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 40(S1), pages 2240-2262, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ruixia Han & Jian Xu, 2020. "A Comparative Study of the Role of Interpersonal Communication, Traditional Media and Social Media in Pro-Environmental Behavior: A China-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Taeuk Kim & Jungwoo Ha, 2023. "Applying a Goal-Directed Behavior Model to Determine Risk Perception of COVID-19 and War on Potential Travelers’ Behavioral Intentions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Yi-Hui Christine Huang & Xiao Wang & Ivy Wai-Yin Fong & Qiudi Wu, 2021. "Examining the Role of Trust in Regulators in Food Safety Risk Assessment: A Cross-regional Analysis of Three Chinese Societies Using an Integrative Framework," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, November.
    4. Jo-Hsin Lin & Yuan-Kai Huang & Kun-Der Lin & Yuan-Jung Hsu & Wei-Fu Huang & Hsiao-Ling Huang, 2019. "Randomized Controlled Trial on Effects of a Brief Clinical-Based Intervention Involving Planning Strategy on Self-Care Behaviors in Periodontal Patients in Dental Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-14, October.
    5. An Gie Yong & Louise Lemyre & Celine Pinsent & Daniel Krewski, 2017. "Risk Perception and Disaster Preparedness in Immigrants and Canadian‐Born Adults: Analysis of a National Survey on Similarities and Differences," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(12), pages 2321-2333, December.
    6. Peter M. Sinclair & Ashly Kable & Tracy Levett‐Jones & Carl Holder & Christopher J. Oldmeadow, 2019. "The CKD‐DETECT study: An RCT aimed at improving intention to initiate a kidney health check in Australian practice nurses," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(15-16), pages 2745-2759, August.
    7. Sai Leung Ng, 2023. "The role of risk perception, prior experience, and sociodemographics in disaster preparedness and emergency response toward typhoons in Hong Kong," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 116(1), pages 905-936, March.
    8. Xiao Wang & Yi-Hui Christine Huang & Qiudi Wu & Ivy Wai-Yin Fong, 2021. "Exploring the Effects of Instructional Message Strategies on Risk Perceptions and Behavioral Intentions: The Case of a Substandard Vaccine Incident," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, November.
    9. Rúbia de Freitas Agondi & Marilia Estevam Cornélio & Roberta Cunha Matheus Rodrigues & Maria-Cecilia Gallani, 2014. "Implementation Intentions on the Effect of Salt Intake among Hypertensive Women: A Pilot Study," Nursing Research and Practice, Hindawi, vol. 2014, pages 1-8, August.
    10. Yaodong Yang & Huaqing Ren & Han Zhang, 2022. "Understanding Consumer Panic Buying Behaviors during the Strict Lockdown on Omicron Variant: A Risk Perception View," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-19, December.
    11. Yujeong Kim & Eunmi Lee, 2021. "Factors Influencing Preparedness for Bioterrorism among Koreans," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-10, May.
    12. Danran Bu & Pak-Kwong Chung & Chun-Qing Zhang & Jingdong Liu & Xiang Wang, 2020. "Mental Health Literacy Intervention on Help-Seeking in Athletes: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-17, October.
    13. Ruixia Han & Yali Cheng, 2020. "The Influence of Norm Perception on Pro-Environmental Behavior: A Comparison between the Moderating Roles of Traditional Media and Social Media," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-18, September.
    14. Simon D French & Joanne E McKenzie & Denise A O'Connor & Jeremy M Grimshaw & Duncan Mortimer & Jill J Francis & Susan Michie & Neil Spike & Peter Schattner & Peter Kent & Rachelle Buchbinder & Matthew, 2013. "Evaluation of a Theory-Informed Implementation Intervention for the Management of Acute Low Back Pain in General Medical Practice: The IMPLEMENT Cluster Randomised Trial," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(6), pages 1-15, June.
    15. Maria Andersson & Ola Eriksson & Chris Von Borgstede, 2012. "The Effects of Environmental Management Systems on Source Separation in the Work and Home Settings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(6), pages 1-17, June.
    16. Tran Huy Phuong & Thanh Trung Hieu, 2015. "Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intentions of Undergraduate Students in Vietnam: An Empirical Study," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 5(8), pages 46-55, August.
    17. Clara Cardone-Riportella & María José Casasola-Martinez & Isabel Feito-Ruiz, 2014. "Do Entrepreneurs Come From Venus Or Mars? Impact Of Postgraduate Studies: Gender And Family Business Background," Working Papers 14.04, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Financial Economics and Accounting (former Department of Business Administration), revised Sep 2014.
    18. Peng Cheng & Zhe Ouyang & Yang Liu, 0. "The effect of information overload on the intention of consumers to adopt electric vehicles," Transportation, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-20.
    19. Ruijie Zhu & Guojing Zhao & Zehai Long & Yangjie Huang & Zhaoxin Huang, 2022. "Entrepreneurship or Employment? A Survey of College Students’ Sustainable Entrepreneurial Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, May.
    20. Alsalem, Amani & Fry, Marie-Louise & Thaichon, Park, 2020. "To donate or to waste it: Understanding posthumous organ donation attitude," Australasian marketing journal, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 87-97.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:342-:d:713767. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.