Life styles, anxiety, expertise: the perception of risk from electromagnetic fields
Deitinger, P.; Nardella, C.; Ronchetti, M.; Bonafede, M.; Grandi, C.
Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro Ed Ergonomia 33(3 Suppl B): B14-B20
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 1592-7830 PMID: 23326945 Document Number: 653644
This study analyzed the effect of expertise, by comparing the opinions of groups of "experts" and "non-experts" on the so-called "classic" risks and on the risks from exposure to electromagnetic fields. A protocol comprising personal history questionnaires, including lifestyle details, STAI-Y, and two rating scales based on the "psychometric paradigm" was administered to 48 people, 22 experts on these risks and 26 non-experts. The findings were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, exploratory factor, correlational and bivariate regression analysis. Significant differences emerged between the perceptions of the two groups, though the underlying qualitative dimensions were similar. Bivariate regression analysis showed that both state and trait anxiety exert a statistically significant effect on some risks, both classic and related to electromagnetic fields exposure. This study displayed the role of expertise in risk perception processes, giving indications on the relationships between anxiety and risk perception. On the basis of the available data it is concluded that people prone to anxiety and individual emotional states filter the perception of risk arising from activities, technologies, substances etc. included in the present study.