Does fear of technology shape social acceptance of autonomous vehicles in Poland? conclusions from cross-sectional study using structural equation modelling

Social acceptance remains a critical barrier to the widespread deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs). This study investigates the mechanism through which general technology anxiety shapes AV social acceptance, moving beyond standard utility-based models. We conducted a cross-sectional study on a representative sample of 1057 Polish residents, employing Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to integrate the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) with Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) constructs. Our analysis reveals that technology anxiety does not directly inhibit social acceptance; instead, its effect is fully mediated by specific cognitive and innovation-related factors. Anxiety significantly amplifies evaluative processes, increasing users’ reliance on Performance/Effort Expectancy, Trialability, and Observability, while simultaneously heightening Perceived Data Privacy concerns. Performance Expectancy emerged as the strongest predictor of social acceptance, followed by Trialability, whereas privacy concerns negatively impacted adoption intentions. The model explained 58.9% of the variance in social acceptance. These findings indicate that technology anxiety is not a passive barrier but a catalyst that intensifies the need for tangible utility and experiential learning. Consequently, facilitating trial opportunities and demonstrating practical benefits are critical strategies to mitigate anxiety-driven resistance and foster societal readiness for AVs.