Riskdynamics

Dynamics of risk perception and its effects on prevention behaviour

Funding institution:

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)

Funding reference number (FKZ):

FOR 2374

Duration:

30.06.2016 - 31.07.2022

Project description:

RISKDYNAMICS: a DFG-funded multidisciplinary research unit focussing on the dynamic nature of risk perception in the field of physical and mental health.

All over the world, people are exposed to numerous health risks in the form of communicable or non-communicable diseases, injuries, violence or natural disasters. To date, the greatest global risks to mortality are often directly or indirectly attributable to individual choices and behaviours. A better understanding of risk perception and its consequences for prevention behaviour is therefore of great importance, especially in societies that increasingly expect individuals to take responsibility for their health-related behaviour.

The research unit investigated the dynamic nature of risk perception and its relationship to precautionary behaviour over time in the context of mental and physical health with the long-term aim of further developing and specifying theories of risk perception and health behaviour change.

Key publications produced as part of RISKDYNAMICS:

  • Debbeler, L. J., Schupp, H. T., & Renner, B. (2021). Pessimistic health and optimistic wealth distributions perceptions in Germany and the UK: Evidence from an online-survey. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1306. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11355-x
  • Giese, H., Gamp, M., Stok, F. M., Gaissmaier, W., Schupp, H. T., & Renner, B. (2021). Contagious Health Risk and Precautionary Social Distancing. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 685134. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.685134
  • Koller, J. E., Villinger, K., Lages, N. C., Brünecke, I., Debbeler, J. M., Engel, K. D., Grieble, S., Homann, P. C., Kaufmann, R., Koppe, K. M., Oppenheimer, H., Radtke, V. C., Rogula, S., Stähler, J., Renner, B., & Schupp, H. T. (2021). Stigmatization of Chinese and Asian-looking people during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. BMC Public Health, 21. Article 1296. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11270-1
  • Kollmann, J., Benyamini, Y., Lages, N.C., Renner, B. (2021). The role of personal risk experience—An investigation of health and terrorism risk perception in Germany and Israel. Risk Analysis. http://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13804
  • Kollmann, J., Nussbeck, F. W., Lages, N. C., Debbeler, L. J., Schupp, H. T., & Renner, B. (2021). Lack of reassurance after unexpected positive health risk feedback–an analysis of temporal dynamics. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 9(1), 322-337. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2021.1913168
  • Lages, N. C., Debbeler, L. J., Blumenschein, M., Kollmann, J., Szymczak, H., Keim, D. A., Schupp, H. T. & Renner, B. (2021). Dynamic risk perceptions in times of avian and seasonal influenza epidemics: A repeated cross‐sectional design. Risk Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.13706
  • Lages*, N. C., Villinger*, K., Koller, J. E., Brünecke, I., Debbeler, J. M., Engel, K. D., ... & Renner, B. (2021). The relation of threat level and age with protective behavior intentions during Covid-19 in Germany. Health Education & Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198121989960. *authors contributed equally
  • Szymczak, H., Keller, L., Debbeler, L. J., Kollmann, J., Lages, N. C., Gollwitzer, P.M., Schupp, H. T., Renner, B. (2020). An increase in vigorous but not moderate physical activity makes people feel they have changed their behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01530
  • Szymczak, H., Keller, L., Debbeler, L. J., Kollmann, J., Lages, N. C., Sproesser, G., Gollwitzer, P. M, Schupp, H. T., & Renner, B. (2021). “I’m eating healthy now”: The relationship between perceived behavior change and diet. Food Quality and Preference, 89, 104142. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2020.104142
  • Villinger, K., Wahl, D.R., Debbeler, L.J., Koller, J.E., Brünecke, I., Lages, N.C., Schupp, H.T., Renner, B. (2022). Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to study variations in daily experiences and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. European Health Psychologist 22(4). https://ehps.net/ehp/index.php/contents/article/view/3380