Determinants of Public Attitudes and Support Toward Air Pollution Prevention: A Conceptual Framework

Abstract

Air pollution prevention is a critical global priority due to its profound implications for public health, environmental sustainability, and policy effectiveness. While regulatory and technological measures are essential, the success of air pollution prevention increasingly depends on public engagement and societal dynamics. This paper develops a conceptual framework to explain how public perceptions, public attitudes, and public support interact to influence air pollution prevention. The framework posits that public perceptions shape air pollution prevention both directly and indirectly through public attitudes, while public support moderates the strength of these relationships by conditioning the translation of perceptions and attitudes into preventive outcomes. By integrating mediation and moderation mechanisms into a unified model, the study addresses fragmentation in existing research that often examines these constructs in isolation. The proposed framework advances theoretical understanding of air pollution prevention as a socially embedded process and provides a foundation for future empirical research and policy interventions aimed at strengthening public engagement and enhancing the effectiveness of air pollution prevention strategies