Comparison of Multi-Risk Perceptions and Sociodemographic Characteristics in South Korea: Cognitive and Affective Dimensions

Abstract

In the real world, environmental and social risks coexist, and the interactions among these multiple risks necessitate research on risk perception in a multi-risk context. This study aims to explore how the public perceives multiple risks and to investigate perception differences based on sociodemographic factors. Based on the classification of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, 14 risks were investigated through a web-based survey of 1,035 individuals from South Korea. We employed a latent class model (LCA) to identify confounding sources among risk perceptions and utilized multinomial logistic regression to examine factors influencing risk perception dimensions. Cognitive and affective risk perceptions were found to be higher for climate change and global warming, air pollution, destruction of biodiversity and the environment, economic crisis, recession, low fertility, aging of society, and depopulation. Women, residents of Gwangju, Jeolla, and Jeju, and college-educated participants were more sensitive to cognitive risk perception. Those aged 30 to 39 and of lower economic status were more sensitive to affective risk perception, whereas men were less sensitive. Cognitive and affective risk perceptions were distinct but correlated. These findings provide insights for improving decision-making in crisis situations by informing the government and policymakers about public priorities. Specifically, by identifying demographically sensitive subgroups, the study can contribute to enhance risk communication strategies.