Protection motivation when using biocidal products – A survey study in Germany

Abstract

Due to their inherent properties, biocidal products might pose a risk to human and animal health and the environment. In risk management, there exists uncertainty about private users' comprehension of and willingness-to-adhere to use instructions that mitigate these risks (e.g., limit frequency of use or application area). This study aimed at providing insights into the users' perspective by focusing on their attention, comprehension, and the attitudinal predictors of protection motivation. In the online study (N = 957 participants from Germany) were introduced to a hypothetical purchase scenario featuring an insect spray and a realistic set of use instructions. Next, the participants' attention for the use instruction was measured in self-report and by tracking the time spent on the page with the use instruction, while Likert scale-type questions measured the comprehensibility, protection motivation, and predictors. Participants reported higher protection motivation if they spent more time with the use instruction, perceived it as comprehensible, rated the threat to humans, animals, and the environment as more severe, perceived themselves as responsible (i.e., internal locus of control) and capable (i.e., self-efficacy) of adhering to the use instructions, perceived adherence to the use instructions as effective (i.e., response efficacy) and did not perceive biocidal products as inherently safe (i.e., neutral locus of control). These results offer valuable information for an improved regulation of biocidal products and better management of potential risks associated with their use. They also provide concepts for interventions to ensure users of biocidal products follow the instructions for a safe use and better protection of the environment.