Public trust and moral perceptions as predictors of anticipated preventive behavior toward future epidemics among...

Future epidemic preparedness depends partly on public willingness to follow preventive measures. This study examined whether public trust and moral perceptions were associated with anticipated preventive behavior toward future epidemics among adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A cross-sectional survey included 256 adults. Three 10-item constructs measured public trust, moral perceptions, and anticipated behavior using five-point Likert scales. Internal consistency, correlations, subgroup comparisons, multiple regression, and a fully adjusted general linear model were evaluated. Regression assumptions were examined, and HC3 robust and influence-sensitivity analyses were conducted.

Mean scores were 3.903 ± 0.651 for public trust, 3.947 ± 0.630 for moral perceptions, and 4.361 ± 0.728 for anticipated behavior. Anticipated behavior correlated with public trust (r = 0.671, p < 0.001) and moral perceptions (r = 0.742, p < 0.001). The primary model explained 60.4% of anticipated-behavior variance, F(2,253) = 192.693, p < 0.001. In the full-sample adjusted model (N = 256), public trust (B = 0.357, standardized beta = 0.319, p < 0.001) and moral perceptions (B = 0.495, standardized beta = 0.428, p < 0.001) remained positively associated with anticipated behavior. Household income was not significant overall (p = 0.419). HC3 robust estimation and exclusion of observations flagged by the conservative Cook's-distance threshold did not change the conclusions.

Public trust and moral perceptions were independently associated with anticipated preventive behavior, with moral perceptions showing the larger adjusted association. Preparedness strategies should combine credible institutional communication with culturally appropriate messages emphasizing collective responsibility and protection of vulnerable groups.