Research on influencing factors of public panic during infectious disease pandemics: a structural equation modeling study in five cities

Infectious diseases continue to pose a persistent threat to global public health, drawing greater focus to their transmission dynamics—especially the processes through which these dynamics induce public panic. While this aspect is vital to successful epidemic control, it has not been adequately theorized in prior research. To fill this gap, questionnaire data from 660 residents across five Chinese cities (Nanjing, Xuzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, and Lianyungang) were examined via structural equation modeling (SEM) using IBM SPSS Amos 26.0. The analysis identified five key dimensions shaping public panic during respiratory infection outbreaks: personal characteristics, event perception, information spread, assessments of preventive interventions, and collective conduct. The measurement model demonstrated sound psychometric properties, with all factor loadings exceeding 0.50 and acceptable reliability (Cronbach's α ranging from 0.68 to 0.89). High loadings were observed for information transparency (0.794), government material allocation (0.854), and community prevention (0.834), indicating that these observed variables strongly represent their respective latent constructs. Event perception showed notable associations with information factors and government evaluations (correlations 0.70–0.77), highlighting the interconnected nature of these determinants. These results carry direct policy relevance. Upholding information accuracy, combating misinformation, and improving public grasp of disease transmission processes are theoretically and ethically sound strategies for curbing public panic, as they directly address the core constructs identified in the measurement model. Ensuring information transparency and delivering consistent risk communication can interrupt herd behavior cascades during health crises. The research offers practical guidance for establishing evidence-based emergency management procedures and public health preparedness frameworks, emphasizing the central role of these determinants in designing effective risk communication and emergency management policies.