Exploring the Determinants of Perceived Risk of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in Korea

Abstract

The world is turning into a risky society. Although modernization based on the developments in science and technology has increased individuals’ well-being and wealth, the perceived risk toward the complex technological system has increased. In a risky society, social accidents amplify the existing fear among individuals. It is generally assumed that each value, perception, and resource influences the fear of risk. However, very few studies have tested these three factors together within an integrated causal model. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the determinants that influence the perceived risk in cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a deadly epidemic disease, in Korea. Based on the theoretical model, we analyzed the survey data collected from respondents (N = 814) in Korea. After controlling for variables such as sociodemographic characteristics, we examined how three competing factors, i.e., value, perception, and resource, influence the perceived risk of MERS. The analysis showed that trust and vulnerability variables in the perception factor, health state, and perceived knowledge in the resource factor had a significant impact on the perceived risk of MERS.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus epidemic impact on healthcare workers’ risk perceptions, work and personal lives

“…Interestingly, the knowledge score was higher in the non-physician group. Knowledge and years of experience could bring about positive attitudes that can be explained by the theory of reasoned action, which predicts that behavioral intent is caused by both attitudes and subjective norms [22,23]. Kim et al showed that knowledge, and not just trust, had an impact on the perceived risk of MERS [23].…”

Searching for New Directions for Energy Policy: Testing the Cross-Effect of Risk Perception and Cyberspace Factors on Online/Offline Opposition to Nuclear Energy in South Korea

“…On the other hand, according to Kuklinski et al [42], more knowledge engenders, more opposition toward the operation and construction of nuclear energy stations. Moreover, Kim and Kim [43] showed that more knowledge related to diseases decreases individuals' perceived risk of disease. A high knowledge lowers the perceived risk to a particular object, which in turn reduces the opposition behavior to it.…”

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) associated stress among medical students at a university teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia

“…Many other studies investigate stress in the aftermath, which may not reflect the actual stress subjects felt during the actual event. Many publications addressed similar issues among hospital workers and residents; however, only a few studies investigate the psychological stress of university health college students during the MERS-CoV outbreak [4,5].…”