A Pandemic Risk Perception Scale.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Understanding public perception of pandemic risks is crucial for effective health communication and policy.
• Previous research often treated risk perception monolithically, lacking nuanced dimensional analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a multidimensional scale for assessing pandemic risk perception.
• To identify the key dimensions influencing risk perception during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Pandemic Risk Perception Scale with two constructs: Dread Risk and Personal Exposure.
• Utilized multidimensional item response theory, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling.
• Data collected from two independent respondent samples.

Main Results:

• The scale's dimensions include Infection Risk, Emotional Health Risk, Health System Risk, Financial Risk, and Alimentary Risk.
• Alimentary Risk, Health System Risk, and Emotional Health Risk emerged as the primary dimensions of COVID-19 risk perception.
• Infection Risk demonstrated a minor influence on overall pandemic risk perception.

Conclusions:

• The proposed Pandemic Risk Perception Scale effectively captures nuanced aspects of public concern.
• Emotional Health, Health System, and Alimentary Risks are critical drivers of pandemic risk perception.
• Distinct dynamics exist between personal and general risk perceptions during pandemics, with infection risk playing a lesser role.