Microplastic Threats: Urban–Rural Differences in Knowledge, Risk, and Psychosocial Factors among Households

  • Megawati Simanjuntak Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
  • Irni Rahmayani Johan Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
  • Ismayanti Pratiwi Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
  • Nurazizah Aprilia Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
  • Rohimatul Janah Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
  • Farhah Azizah Salsabila PT Nestle Indonesia, Indonesia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56338/mppki.v9i5.9417
Keywords: Intention for Pro-Environmental Behavior, Microplastic Knowledge, Perceived Behavioral Control, Risk Perception, Subjective Norms

Abstract

Introduction: Microplastic pollution has emerged as an increasingly urgent environmental problem, highlighting the need to better understand the psychological and social factors that encourage households to engage in pro-environmental behavior. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study examines how microplastic knowledge, risk perception, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control shape pro-environmental intentions among urban and rural housewives, extending TPB by integrating knowledge and risk perception.

Methods: A quantitative research design was applied by distributing structured questionnaires to 600 respondents, comprising 300 urban and 300 rural housewives in Bogor City and Bogor Regency. Data analysis involved independent t-tests to identify differences between the two groups, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine the causal relationships among the studied variables.

Results: The results show significant urban–rural differences in microplastic knowledge, risk perception, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, while attitudes and pro-environmental behavioral intentions are relatively similar across contexts. In urban areas, knowledge significantly influences risk perception, whereas attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predict pro-environmental behavioral intention. In rural areas, risk perception and perceived behavioral control are the main predictors, with no direct effect of knowledge.

Conclusion: Overall, knowledge alone is insufficient to promote pro-environmental behavioral intention. Instead, behavioral intentions follow context-specific pathways, driven primarily by attitudinal and normative factors in urban areas and by risk awareness and perceived behavioral control in rural settings.

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Published
2026-05-06
How to Cite
Simanjuntak, M., Irni Rahmayani Johan, Ismayanti Pratiwi, Nurazizah Aprilia, Rohimatul Janah, & Farhah Azizah Salsabila. (2026). Microplastic Threats: Urban–Rural Differences in Knowledge, Risk, and Psychosocial Factors among Households. Media Publikasi Promosi Kesehatan Indonesia (MPPKI), 9(5), 976-989. https://doi.org/10.56338/mppki.v9i5.9417
Issue
Vol. 9 No. 5 (2026)
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Article

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