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The Influence of Social Media Use on Waste Sorting Intentions: A Cognition–Affect–Conation Model Integration with Social Amplification of Risk Framework

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the impact of social media use on public behavioral intentions regarding waste sorting in China, integrating the Cognition-Affect-Conation model with the Social Amplification of Risk Framework. The proposed framework explores how social media exposure and gratification influence waste sorting intentions through anticipated emotions and environmental risk perception. Regression analysis confirms that information gratification primarily activates positive emotions, while information exposure has a stronger effect on negative emotions. Both affective pathways significantly predict waste sorting intentions, with comparable predictive strengths. Mediation analysis further reveals that information gratification and information exposure indirectly influence behavioral intention through dual emotional pathways and environmental risk perception. Qualitative interviews highlight two structural deficiencies: fragmented knowledge dissemination, which weakens environmental norm internalization, and uneven community integration, which limits behavioral translation. These findings underscore the need for diversified communication strategies and community-based policy interventions to enhance public participation in waste sorting.

Source: Behavioral Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/bs16020305

Authors: Yixin Chen, Huiting Tang, Ying Lian

Institutions: University of Science and Technology Beijing, Communication University of China

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Education and Sustainability

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654