Using augmented reality (AR) to increase risk perception of e-cigarettes among young adults: From the perspective of construal level theory

E-cigarette use has surged in popularity, particularly among youth, despite its association with numerous health risks. Many users have inaccurate perceptions of the potential harms of e-cigarettes, stemming from a lack of knowledge, the delayed manifestation of health consequences, and a tendency to underestimate personal susceptibility to disease. This dissertation explores the potential of augmented reality (AR) technology to increase e-cigarette users' risk perception by decreasing psychological distance. Study 1, which compared AR and non-AR scenarios, demonstrated that AR substantially enhanced interoceptive awareness, irrespective of an individual's innate interoceptive sensitivity. Furthermore, Study 1 revealed that AR could effectively reduce both temporal and psychological distances. This reduction in distances led to an intensification of people's perceptions of risk likelihood, susceptibility, and severity. Expanding on this, Study 2 conducted a more nuanced comparison between self-focused AR and non-self-focused AR. The results indicated that both conditions have comparably significant impacts on perceived risk likelihood and severity. However, self-focused AR proved to be more effective in heightening people’s perception of risk susceptibility. Additionally, the study suggested that self-focused AR could decrease social distance compared to non-self-focused AR. This reduction influenced people’s perception of hypothetical distance, though it did not affect their perception of temporal distance.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communications and Media

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Wang, Yanyun (Mia)

Contributors dc:contributor

• Yao, Mike Zhengyu
• Vargas, Patrick
• Ahn, Sun Joo Grace
• Oh, Sang-Hwa
• Ho, Jeffrey

• Augmented Reality
• Health Communication

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Yanyun (Mia) Wang

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121264

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F121264