The Effects of Citizens’ Risk Perceptions on Voluntary Compliance with Government Policies: Protective Action Decision Model

This study examines how distinct dimensions of risk perceptions influence citizens’ voluntary compliance with government policies during crises. Using the Protective Action Decision Model (PADM) as a theoretical framework, we investigate how threat perception, stakeholder perception, and protective action perception shape voluntary compliance with government policies. Analyzing data from the Citizens’ Perceptions survey conducted during COVID-19 by the Incheon Institute in South Korea, our findings confirm that stakeholder perception and protective action perception positively influence their willingness to comply, while threat perception shows no direct effect. Situated in a high-trust, collectivist context, our study highlights the salience of socially oriented motivations and efficacy beliefs that may inform disaster governance in other settings. By emphasizing the link between risk perceptions and voluntary compliance, we suggest future directions for enhancing governance strategies to address emerging challenges in the new normal.