A causal model explaining Chinese university students' acceptance of nuclear power

•Structural equation modeling was applied to examine factors affecting acceptance.•Perceived energy supply benefit was the most important factor.•Perceived environmental benefit had a significant, positive effect on acceptance.•Perceived risks negatively influenced acceptance.•Trust was significantly associated with perceived benefits and risks.

A causal model explaining Chinese university students' acceptance of nuclear power was tested. In our model, we hypothesized that perceived energy supply benefits, environmental benefits, and risks are determinants of Chinese university students' acceptance of nuclear power. We further assumed that trust affects perceived energy supply benefits, environmental benefits, and risk perception. In other words, trust indirectly affects acceptance. Structural equation modeling procedure was employed to test the hypothesized model, based on the data collected via a questionnaire survey of Chinese university students (N = 506). Results revealed that acceptance was mainly influenced by perceived energy supply benefits. In addition, perceived environmental benefits also had significantly positive impact on acceptance. Compared to the impact of perceived benefits on acceptance, perceived risks had a significantly smaller negative influence. Furthermore, trust strongly affected perceived energy supply benefits, environmental benefits, and risk perception. Therefore, emphasizing energy supply benefits of nuclear power seems to improve the level of acceptance when communicating to Chinese university students.