Development and Validation of the Haze Risk Perception Scale and Influencing Factor Scale-A Study Based on College...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Public Health
• Risk Communication

Background:

• Beijing's air quality shows improvement, yet haze governance remains a challenge.
• Understanding public perception of haze risks is crucial for effective environmental policy.
• College students represent a key demographic for studying risk perception in urban environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate scales measuring haze risk perception and its influencing factors among Beijing college students.
• To analyze the theoretical framework and empirical levels of haze risk perception and influencing factors.
• To identify key drivers of haze risk perception and their relationship with different perception dimensions.

Main Methods:

• Development and empirical validation of two scales: Haze Risk Perception Scale (HRPS) and Haze Risk Perception Influencing Factor Scale (HRPIFS).
• Survey administered to college students in Beijing.
• Statistical analysis to assess scale reliability, validity, and correlations between perception dimensions and influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Both scales demonstrated excellent reliability and validity.
• Perception hierarchy: direct consequences > indirect consequences > risk responsibility > risk source.
• Influencing factors hierarchy: personal emotion > media communication > government policy. All positively correlated with overall perception.

Conclusions:

• Personal emotions and media communication significantly impact perceptions of direct/indirect consequences and risk sources.
• Government policy significantly influences perceptions of direct/indirect consequences and risk liability.
• Media plays a vital role in shaping public haze risk perception, informing policy recommendations for rational risk communication.