Is older residents' exposure to road traffic noise associated with civic engagement for noise protection? A cross-sectional path analysis

Abstract Background Given the absence of binding standards for noise action planning according to the European Noise Directive, citizens' engagement in public information and consultation processes are crucial for procedural environmental justice. Drawing on a conceptual model on cognitive-motivational determinants, we examined (1) engagement-specific self-efficacy and communal mastery as conceptual links between exposure to road traffic noise and intended and performed civic engagement for noise protection, (2) condition and object resources as additional predictors, and (3) residents’ social position (gender, individual education, and social welfare rates in the residential neighbourhood) as vulnerability-related effect modifiers in these associations. Methods Our cross-sectional analysis included 1691 participants aged 60–90 years from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study, a population-based study in the Ruhr Area, Germany. We merged our questionnaire data with exposure to road traffic noise (Lden) at the most exposed facade. Assumed relations were investigated by a path model consisting of linear regressions on engagement-specific self-efficacy and communal mastery scales and probit regressions on binary intended and performed engagement variables. We applied the path model to the whole sample and to stratified samples to detect potential effect modification as assessed by Chi-Square difference tests. Results Exposure to road traffic noise was negatively associated with engagement-specific self-efficacy and communal mastery that both emerged as predictors of intended engagement. While engagement-specific self-efficacy was estimated to predict performed engagement directly, communal mastery appeared to effect performed engagement through intended engagement. We observed a positive association between intended and performed engagement. Difference tests indicated a few group-specific vulnerabilities, e.g. in the association of engagement-specific self-efficacy and performed engagement among participants living in neighbourhoods with higher social welfare while being affected by higher exposure levels. Conclusions Within our conceptual frame, our results give indications of how engagement-specific self-efficacy and communal mastery can contribute to procedural environmental justice.