Examining the Effect of Multidimensional Distances on Antibiotic Risk Awareness and Preventive Behaviors.

Area of Science:

• Health Communication
• Risk Perception
• Psychological Distance

Background:

• Psychological distance is key in persuasive health messages.
• Previous research focused on single distances, not combined effects.
• Antibiotic risks require effective communication strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of multidimensional psychological distance on antibiotic risk perception.
• To examine the interaction of hypothetical, temporal, and spatial distances.
• To understand effects on preventive behavior intention.

Main Methods:

• A 2x2x2 online experiment with 371 participants.
• Manipulated hypothetical, temporal, and spatial distance cues.
• Measured antibiotic risk perception and behavioral intentions.

Main Results:

• Hypothetical distance significantly influenced antibiotic risk perception.
• Temporal and spatial distances showed no significant effects in this context.
• Multidimensional distance cues interact in health messaging.

Conclusions:

• Hypothetical distance is a crucial factor in communicating antibiotic risks.
• Future health communication strategies should consider multidimensional distance effects.
• Further research is needed to explore temporal and spatial distance impacts.