Message framing for health: moderation by perceived susceptibility and motivational orientation in a diverse sample of Americans.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The present study examined how gain- and loss-framed informational videos about oral health influence self-reported flossing behavior over a 6-month period, as well as the roles of perceived susceptibility to oral health problems and approach/avoidance motivational orientation in moderating these effects.

Method

An age and ethnically diverse sample of 855 American adults were randomized to receive no health message, or either a gain-framed or loss-framed video presented on the Internet. Self-reported flossing was assessed longitudinally at 2 and 6 months.

Results

Among the entire sample, susceptibility interacted with frame to predict flossing. Participants who watched a video where the frame (gain/loss) matched perceived susceptibility (low/high) had signif

SUBMITTER: Updegraff JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4691327 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature