Public and Personal Responses to Environmental Pollution in China: Differential Susceptibility, Direct Experience and Media Use

Abstract

This study examined how internal environmental efficacy and perceived severity are associated with multiple forms of media use pertaining to environmental issues. We also investigated effects of media use on Chinese citizens’ engagement in public environmental expression and personal environmental action. Results showed that internal environmental efficacy and perceived severity influenced the usage of different types of media. We also found that use of traditional media sources (e.g., TV, newspapers) and online news directly affected public environmental expression and personal environmental action. Moreover, the effect of internal environmental efficacy and perceived severity on traditional media use was moderated by one’s direct experience with environmental pollution.