Using protection motivation theory to explain Australian's motivations to engage in individual and collective climate actions

Abstract

Using an Australian sample, the current study investigated the usefulness of protection motivation theory (PMT) in predicting intentions for two climate actions—one individual action (limiting household heating and/or cooling) and one collective action (writing a letter to a local Member of Parliament urging them to take action to mitigate climate change). The data were analysed in two ways: (1) regression analysis, to examine the independent effects of coping and threat appraisals, and (2) latent profile analysis (LPA), to understand how the coping and threat appraisals may act in combination. The regression showed that PMT explained a significant amount of variance for both behavioural intentions. While perceived response efficacy and self-efficacy were significant unique predictors of both behavioural intentions, perceived response costs were a significant unique predictor of heating and/or cooling intentions. Although the regression analysis suggests that people were more motivated by coping appraisals for both outcomes, the LPA indicates that the coping appraisals are unlikely to lead to stronger intentions unless individuals perceive climate change to be sufficiently threatening. PMT research could benefit from employing LPA to identify participant profiles with heightened likelihoods of reporting stronger intentions to participate in climate actions.