THE INFLUENCE OF UNCERTAINTY AND PERCEIVED SCARCITY ON PANIC BUYING OF BASIC NECESSITIES: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ANXIETY AMONG FLOOD-AFFECTED RESIDENTS IN LHOKSEUMAWE CITY
Keywords:
Anxiety, Panic Buying, Perceived Scarcity, UncertaintyAbstract
This study aims to analyze the influence of uncertainty and perceived scarcity on panic buying of basic necessities with anxiety as a mediating variable in flood-affected communities in Lhokseumawe City. The background of this study is based on the phenomenon of flash floods that hit Lhokseumawe City from late November to December 2025, which caused a disruption in the distribution chain of basic necessities and triggered information uncertainty, perceptions of scarcity of goods, and psychological anxiety that led to panic buying behavior among affected residents. The method used is a quantitative approach with a Structural Equation Model analysis technique based on Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) through SmartPLS software. Data were obtained by distributing questionnaires to 120 respondents who were flood-affected communities and acted as decision makers for fulfilling household food needs in Lhokseumawe City. The results showed that uncertainty and perceived scarcity had a positive and significant effect on anxiety. In addition, uncertainty, perceived scarcity, and anxiety directly had a positive and significant effect on panic buying. Anxiety was also proven to be able to mediate the influence of uncertainty and perceived scarcity on panic buying of basic necessities. These findings indicate that uncertainty of the situation and the perception of scarcity of goods are triggers of public anxiety which ultimately encourages panic buying behavior.
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References
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