Speaker
Description
Modern Health Worries (MHW) relate to concerns about the adverse health effects of contemporary technologies, including electromagnetic fields (EMF). Some individuals report symptoms they attribute to EMF exposure, a phenomenon referred to as idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to EMF (IEI-EMF) or electrohypersensitivity (EHS). While no robust evidence links EMF exposure to these symptoms, psychological mechanisms such as the nocebo effect and causal attribution may play a role.
This study examines the relationships between EMF sensitivity, perceived health status, frequency of symptoms, risk perception, and exposure avoidance strategies. Using survey data from 285 Belgian respondents, mediation and moderation analyses were conducted.
Results show that EMF sensitivity significantly predicts the frequency of symptom, risk perception, and avoidance behaviours. Mediation analyses indicate that self-reported health status partially explains the relationship between EMF sensitivity and the frequency of symptoms, while EMF sensitivity mediates the relationship between perceived health and all measured health outcomes.
These analyses support both the nocebo hypothesis and the causal attribution. These results highlight the complex interplay between perception, health status, and behavioural responses. Further research could refine these findings and inform public health strategies and risk communication.
