The public’s actions will likely have a significant effect on the course of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Human behavior is conditioned and shaped by information and people’s perceptions. This study investigated the impact of risk perception on trust in government and self-efficacy. It examined whether the use of social media helped people adopt preventive actions during the pandemic. To test this hypothesis, the researchers gathered data from 512 individuals (students and academics) based in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results suggested that risk perception had a significant effect on trust in government and self-efficacy. Moreover, these correlations were stronger when social media was used as a source for gathering information on COVID-19. In some cases, it even helped users avoid exposure to the virus. This study assessed the relationship between risk perception and the awareness gained from using social media during the pandemic and highlighted how social media usage influences trust in government and self-efficacy.

Drug abuse has been proven to be a mental disorder because of the heavy intake of substances usage controlled by the environment. Environmental factors play a significant role in drug addiction and recovery. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding environmental factors contributing to relapse and hinder motivation for recovery among drug addicts in Malaysia. Therefore, the objective of this research is to find out the impact of the environment on drug relapse and motivation recovery in former addicts. For this purpose, a cross-sectional research design was utilized whereby a self-administered questionnaire was randomly distributed among 50 Malaysian drug addicts. Data were analysed through IBM SPSS software version 25.0, and the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach supported by Smart-PLS 3.3 to analyse the research model. The findings of the study indicated that the environment significantly impacts motivation recovery and relapse. Furthermore, the positive environment influences motivation for recovery in former addicts and pushes the addicts to relapse after rehabilitation. The study will provide insights into the environmental factors that contribute to drug addiction and relapse in Malaysia.

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