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Thesis Final Submission Edited.pdf (1.54 MB)

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Using an Indirect Message to Promote Health Behaviors

Mendez, Diana C.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1469817172

Abstract Details

2016, MA, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences.
A problem with traditional health messages is that they sometimes convey threatening information, which can lead to defensiveness and ultimate rejection of the message (Sherman & Cohen; 2006). Self-affirmation theory has been used to counter this defensiveness and increase message acceptance in health messages (Sherman & Cohen, 2006; Steele 1998), yet the techniques used in these studies are limited to laboratory use and must be modified in order to reach a wider audience. According to the support literature, providing support in an invisible or indirect way may lead to more effective support (Howland & Simpson, 2010), an effect which is thought to be mediated by reduced defensiveness. Therefore, the current research attempted to extend what is known about invisible support, which is thought to have similar underlying mechanisms as self-affirmation, to health messages. The purpose of this research was to compare an "invisible" or indirect health message to a traditional health message in an effort to reduce defensiveness and promote the acceptance of potentially threatening health messages. Participants were shown messages that directly or indirectly gave information on the benefits of sunscreen use (Study 1) and flossing (Study 2), and they reported on their acceptance of the information, defensiveness, perceived risk, intentions, and behaviors. Results partially supported hypotheses for Study 1, but not for Study 2.
John Updegraff (Advisor)
Manfred van Dulmen (Committee Member)
John Gunstad (Committee Member)
Judith Gere (Committee Member)
61 p.
Psychology
health messages; self-affirmation; invisible support; health communication; sunscreen; floss

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Mendez, D. C. (2016). Using an Indirect Message to Promote Health Behaviors [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1469817172

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Mendez, Diana. Using an Indirect Message to Promote Health Behaviors. 2016. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1469817172.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Mendez, Diana. "Using an Indirect Message to Promote Health Behaviors." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1469817172

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1469817172
913
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.