PFAS Contamination: Pathway from Communication to Behavioral Outcomes

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Guided by the risk information seeking and processing model, this study examines social cognitive variables that motivate individuals to actively seek and process information related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. Results indicate that information insufficiency, affective response, and informational subjective norms are positively related to information seeking and systematic processing, which are positively associated with policy support and intention to adopt risk mitigation behaviors. These findings suggest that when communicating the health risks of PFAS contamination to the general public, cognitive, affective, and normative factors are important initial steps to generate public interest in relevant information.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the small grant program for graduate student research offered by the Department of Communication, University at Buffalo.