Integrating Protection Motivation Theory With Cultural Context

Abstract

This study integrates Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) with cultural dimensions to design a cybersecurity education framework tailored to Kuwait. The study uses advanced analytical techniques like K-means clustering and Association Rule Mining (ARM) to find important patterns in how age, education level, and cultural norms (like religious adherence and family reputation) affect how people act online safely. The findings highlight key gaps in awareness and coping mechanisms, informing a framework that incorporates gamification, microlearning, and culturally relevant scenarios. We design these strategies to enhance engagement and foster meaningful behavioral change. Although we developed the framework for Kuwait, its scalable design ensures applicability to other culturally diverse regions, offering a replicable model for improving global cybersecurity awareness and resilience.