Chinese citizens’ information seeking about nuclear wastewater: the role of social media exposure and fatalism

This study investigates the motivational factors influencing the intentions of Chinese citizens to seek information in the context of environmental risks associated with Japan’s discharge of nuclear wastewater. The conceptual model combines the Planned Risk Information Seeking Model (PRISM) with social media exposure and fatalism, which is a concept related to traditional Chinese culture. Data from an online survey of 650 Chinese citizens, conducted using quota sampling, are analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that social media exposure positively affects individuals’ risk perception and negative affect but does not significantly influence information need. Furthermore, risk perception, negative affect, and perceived knowledge all positively influence the information seeking. Additionally, the study conducted a multi-group path analysis using fatalism as a grouping variable. The results show that in the high-fatalism group (N = 354), the positive influence of risk perception as well as information need on information seeking is weakened, whereas the positive impact of negative affect on information seeking is strengthened. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.