The Influence of Case Characteristics, Attitude, and Affect on Citizens’ Willingness to Help Search for a Missing Person

Abstract Not all missing persons are treated equally. Research shows that certain types of victims overrepresented in the media, but it is not clear whether these patterns also reflect differences people’s propensity to help victims. Therefore, purpose this study was examine characteristics a person’s case influence respondents’ willingness find person. Using 2 × vignette ( N = 675), gender (male/female) and background person (western/non-western) police involvement (yes/no) were manipulated test subsequent search. We further examined two-person specific factors among potential searchers: respondent’s attitude toward searching levels perceived positive negative affect. This found that, despite small significant effect gender, intention search primarily determined by affect attitude, with former having relatively strongest influence. Of two affective states, had effect, about twice Affect only fully mediated effects on intention, an independent exceeded indirect gender. can be concluded someone depends (positive) state searcher than or considerations regarding itself. The has important practical implications for engaging citizens cases.