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

Sunhee Kim and Seoyong Kim
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Sunhee Kim: Department of Public Administration, Seowon University, Musimseoro, Cheongju 28674, Chungbuk 361-742, Korea
Seoyong Kim: Department of Public Administration, Ajou University, Worldcup-ro, Suwon 16499, Korea

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 6, 1-18

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.

Keywords: risk; risk perception; risk communication; value; resource; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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