Examining the Role of Self-Construal on Cybersecurity Attitudes and Perceptions of Vulnerability

This study examined the role of independent and interdependent self-construal in predicting cybersecurity behaviors and perceived vulnerability across two culturally distinct populations: the UK and Arab countries. 642 adults (314 from the UK and 328 from Arab countries) participated in the survey. Our findings provide novel perspectives into the relationship between self-construal and cybersecurity risk. Individuals with an interdependent self-construal reported feeling more vulnerable to scams and cyberattacks, broadening the understanding of perceived vulnerability beyond basic cultural distinctions. In the Arab sample, independent and interdependent self-construal were significant predictors of cybersecurity behaviors, whereas, in the UK sample, this was predominantly associated with independence. These results highlight the crucial role of the cultural context in shaping the influence of self-construal, challenging the traditional binary framework of individualism versus collectivism applied in cybersecurity research. Furthermore, security attitudes mediated the relationship between interdependent self-construal and vulnerability perceptions in the Arab sample. Still, no mediation was found in the case of independent self-construal across either group. Our findings suggest that self-construal operates differently across cultures, calling for a more nuanced understanding of its role in cybersecurity behaviors. Recognizing these varying self-construal dimensions can help shape more effective, culturally tailored strategies to enhance cybersecurity awareness and resilience in diverse populations.