The Impact of Perceived Uncertainty about Microplastic Risks on the Intention to Take Responsive Actions: Focusing on the Mediating Effects of Distrust in Science and Risk Perception, and the Moderating Effect of Psychological Distance

This study examines how uncertainty about microplastic risks influences individual's intentions to take responsive actions, focusing on the mediating roles of distrust in science and risk perception, and moderating effect of psychological distance. Findings show that perceived uncertainty does not directly affect the intention to act; however, it positively impact both distrust in science and risk perception. Uncertainty was found to increase intention through risk perception but decrease it through distrust in science. Additionally, psychological distance moderates these pathways: among those with a closer psychological distance, uncertainty positively impacts intentions to act through risk perception, while for those with greater psychological distance, uncertainty leads to lower intentions due to distrust in science. Based on these results, conclusions were drawn from a communication strategy perspective, and suggestions for future research were provided.