Influences of PM2.5 pollution on the public’s negative emotions, risk perceptions, and coping behaviors: a cross-national study in China and Korea

This study is a cross-national study and aimed to investigate how perception of PM2.5 air pollution influences public’s avoidant and protective behaviors, whether there are correlations between the public’s PM2.5 negative emotions, risk perception and coping behaviors, and whether there are significant differences between China and Korea. To better understand the mechanisms of coping behaviors related to the risk of PM2.5 exposure, the study divided coping behaviors into avoidant behaviors, which reduce exposure to PM2.5, and protective behaviors, which reduce the health hazards of PM2.5, for more specific analysis. Three hypotheses were proposed. The results of a comparative analysis showed differences in the mechanisms mediating the relationship between PM2.5 risk perceptions and coping behaviors, between the Chinese and Korean participants. The positive correlation between risk perception and coping behaviors was partially supported, and the ‘negative emotions-risk perception-risk coping behavior’ explanatory pathway was partially supported as well. The results of this study provide valuable insight into the psychology of the public affected by PM2.5 and aid in better communicating the risks of and effective response to the impact of PM2.5 pollution.