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Kim S, Gollwitzer PM, Oettingen G. Mental contrasting of a negative future facilitates COVID-19 preventative behaviors: two randomized controlled trials. Psychol Health 2024; 39:1-23. [PMID: 35410548 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2022.2060978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The present research examined whether mentally contrasting a negative, feared future (i.e., infection with the Coronavirus) with a still positive reality can promote preventative actions in the context of the pandemic. Design: In two randomized controlled trials, we varied participants' mode of thought (mental contrasting of a negative future with a positive reality versus fantasizing of a negative future). Study 2 took into account the interpersonal nature of the pandemic and manipulated the mode of thought in a vicarious manner (vicarious mental contrasting versus vicarious negative fantasizing). Main Outcome Measures: After the manipulation, we assessed participants' intentions to learn about COVID-19 (Study 1) and attention to COVID-19 information (Study 1 and 2). Three days later, we measured the amount of physical distancing (Study 1 and 2). Results: Study 1 found that mental contrasting leads to more COVID-19 preventative behaviors than mere negative fantasizing. In Study 2, we observed that vicarious mental contrasting facilitates physical distancing among people who initially showed low compliance with COVID-19 preventative behaviors and thus were in most need of a boost in preventative behavior. Conclusion: The findings suggest that mental contrasting of negative fantasies may be an effective way to encourage COVID-19 preventative behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- SunYoung Kim
- Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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Peters GJY, Ruiter RAC, Ten Hoor GA, Kessels LTE, Kok G. Towards consensus on fear appeals: a rejoinder to the commentaries on Kok, Peters, Kessels, ten Hoor, and Ruiter (2018). Health Psychol Rev 2018; 12:151-156. [PMID: 29558243 DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2018.1454846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gjalt-Jorn Ygram Peters
- a Department of Methodology & Statistics , Open University of the Netherlands , Heerlen , Netherlands.,b Department of Work and Social Psychology , Maastricht University , Maastricht , Netherlands
| | - Robert A C Ruiter
- b Department of Work and Social Psychology , Maastricht University , Maastricht , Netherlands
| | - Gill A Ten Hoor
- b Department of Work and Social Psychology , Maastricht University , Maastricht , Netherlands
| | - Loes T E Kessels
- b Department of Work and Social Psychology , Maastricht University , Maastricht , Netherlands
| | - Gerjo Kok
- b Department of Work and Social Psychology , Maastricht University , Maastricht , Netherlands
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Keyworth C, Nelson PA, Bundy C, Pye SR, Griffiths CEM, Cordingley L. Does message framing affect changes in behavioural intentions in people with psoriasis? A randomized exploratory study examining health risk communication. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2018; 23:763-778. [PMID: 29380626 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2018.1427876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Message framing is important in health communication research to encourage behaviour change. Psoriasis, a long-term inflammatory skin condition, has additional comorbidities including high levels of anxiety and cardiovascular disease (CVD), making message framing particularly important. This experimental study aimed to: (1) identify whether health messages about psoriasis presented as either gain- or loss-framed were more effective for prompting changes in behavioural intentions (BI), (2) examine whether BI were driven by a desire to improve psoriasis or reduce CVD risk; (3) examine emotional reactions to message frame; and (4) examine predictors of BI. A two by two experiment examined the effects on BI of message frame (loss vs. gain) and message focus (psoriasis symptom reduction vs. CVD risk reduction). Participants with psoriasis (n = 217) were randomly allocated to one of four evidence-based health messages related to either smoking, alcohol, diet or physical activity, using an online questionnaire. BI was the primary outcome. Analysis of variance tests and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. A significant frame by focus interaction was found for BI to reduce alcohol intake (p = .023); loss-framed messages were more effective for CVD risk reduction information, whilst gain-framed messages were more effective for psoriasis symptom reduction information. Message framing effects were not found for BI for increased physical activity and improving diet. High CVD risk was a significant predictor of increased BI for both alcohol reduction (β = .290, p < .01) and increased physical activity (β = -.231, p < .001). Message framing may be an important factor to consider depending on the health benefit emphasised (disease symptom reduction or CVD risk reduction) and patient-stated priorities. Condition-specific health messages in psoriasis populations may increase the likelihood of message effectiveness for alcohol reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Keyworth
- a Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences , The University of Manchester , Manchester , UK
| | - P A Nelson
- b Centre for Dermatology Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre , The University of Manchester , Manchester , UK.,c NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre , The University of Manchester , Manchester , UK
| | - C Bundy
- d School of Healthcare Sciences , Cardiff University , Cardiff , UK
| | - S R Pye
- e Division of Population Health, Health Services Research & Primary Care, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre , The University of Manchester , Manchester , UK
| | - C E M Griffiths
- b Centre for Dermatology Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre , The University of Manchester , Manchester , UK.,c NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre , The University of Manchester , Manchester , UK.,f Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust , Manchester , UK
| | - L Cordingley
- c NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre , The University of Manchester , Manchester , UK.,g Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre , The University of Manchester , Manchester , UK
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Kok G, Peters GJY, Kessels LTE, ten Hoor GA, Ruiter RAC. Ignoring theory and misinterpreting evidence: the false belief in fear appeals. Health Psychol Rev 2017; 12:111-125. [DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2017.1415767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gerjo Kok
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gjalt-Jorn Y. Peters
- Department of Methodology & Statistics, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - Loes T. E. Kessels
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gill A. ten Hoor
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert A. C. Ruiter
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Osman A, Thrasher JF, Yong HH, Arillo-Santill�n E, Hammond D. Disparagement of health warning labels on cigarette packages and cessation attempts: results from four countries. HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH 2017; 32:524-536. [PMID: 29136169 PMCID: PMC5914446 DOI: 10.1093/her/cyx065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Health warning labels (HWLs) on cigarette packs that use strong fear appeals may evoke defensive responses including acts of disparaging the warnings. Whether warning disparagement undermines HWL effectiveness remains unclear. We assessed correlates of one type of HWL disparagement and its association with subsequent cessation attempts. Longitudinal data (2012-14) on adult smokers from Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States (US) were analyzed. HWL disparagement was assessed as the frequency of making fun of HWLs in the past month. Using Generalized Estimating Equation models we estimated correlates of HWL disparagement and whether HWL disparagement predicted subsequent cessation attempts. In each country, across all waves, 24-31% of smokers reported making fun of the warnings at least once in the past month. More frequent disparagement was found among males, younger participants, those with higher education and greater addiction, and those who recently attempted to quit. Attention to, avoidance of and talking to others about HWLs were all positively associated with HWL disparagement. In all countries, except the US, this type of HWL disparagement was an independent predictor of subsequent cessation attempts. HWL disparagement among smokers may indicate greater warning relevance and processing and does not result in counterproductive effects on cessation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Osman
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 450 West Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Correspondence to: A. Osman. E-mail:
| | - James F Thrasher
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Hua-Hie Yong
- The Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Edna Arillo-Santill�n
- Department of Tobacco Research, Mexican National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa Mar��a Ahuacatitl��n, 62100 Cuernavaca, Mor., Mexico
| | - David Hammond
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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Simpson JK. Appeal to fear in health care: appropriate or inappropriate? Chiropr Man Therap 2017; 25:27. [PMID: 28932388 PMCID: PMC5605990 DOI: 10.1186/s12998-017-0157-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM This paper examines appeal to fear in general: its perceived positive aspects, its negative characteristics, its appropriate as well as its fallacious use. BACKGROUND Appeal to fear is a commonly used marketing method that attempts to change behaviour by creating anxiety in those receiving a fearful message. It is regularly used in public health initiatives such as anti-smoking, anti-drunk driving campaigns as well as in hypertension awareness campaigns. Some chiropractors appear to use appeal to fear to promote subluxation awareness and thereby encourage the use of chiropractic treatment. Research supporting its use is equivocal; nevertheless, when used judiciously, appeal to fear probably has sufficient strengths to warrant its continued conditional use. When used to promote care for which there is no supporting evidence, its use is fallacious. DISCUSSION Appeal to fear has been used in health promotion campaigns for sixty years or more with the intent of modifying behaviours. While there is evidence to suggest that appeal to fear may motivate some individuals to modify offending behaviour or adopt recommended behaviour there is growing resistance to the use of appeal to fear on ethical and psychological grounds. Using appeal to fear as a tool of persuasion can be valid or fallacious depending on the truth of the premises within the argument. When used to raise awareness about genuine health concerns such as smoking, drunk driving and hypertension appeal to fear is considered to be a valid approach with certain caveats. However, when appeal to fear, not based on evidence or reason, is used as motivator to get others to accept unnecessary interventions for unproven disorders, the use of appeal to fear is fallacious. CONCLUSION In spite of the evidence against its use, it seems likely that appeal to fear will continue to be used in conjunction with other public awareness initiatives to modify recognized detrimental behaviours such as smoking and drunk driving as well as silent killers such as hypertension. However, when used to promote a treatment that has no evidentiary basis such as subluxation based practice in chiropractic the appeal to fear is a fallacy and must be stopped.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Keith Simpson
- Discipline of Chiropractic, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150 Australia
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Kok G, Gottlieb NH, Peters GJY, Mullen PD, Parcel GS, Ruiter RAC, Fernández ME, Markham C, Bartholomew LK. A taxonomy of behaviour change methods: an Intervention Mapping approach. Health Psychol Rev 2015; 10:297-312. [PMID: 26262912 PMCID: PMC4975080 DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2015.1077155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 510] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we introduce the Intervention Mapping (IM) taxonomy of behaviour change methods and its potential to be developed into a coding taxonomy. That is, although IM and its taxonomy of behaviour change methods are not in fact new, because IM was originally developed as a tool for intervention development, this potential was not immediately apparent. Second, in explaining the IM taxonomy and defining the relevant constructs, we call attention to the existence of parameters for effectiveness of methods, and explicate the related distinction between theory-based methods and practical applications and the probability that poor translation of methods may lead to erroneous conclusions as to method-effectiveness. Third, we recommend a minimal set of intervention characteristics that may be reported when intervention descriptions and evaluations are published. Specifying these characteristics can greatly enhance the quality of our meta-analyses and other literature syntheses. In conclusion, the dynamics of behaviour change are such that any taxonomy of methods of behaviour change needs to acknowledge the importance of, and provide instruments for dealing with, three conditions for effectiveness for behaviour change methods. For a behaviour change method to be effective: (1) it must target a determinant that predicts behaviour; (2) it must be able to change that determinant; (3) it must be translated into a practical application in a way that preserves the parameters for effectiveness and fits with the target population, culture, and context. Thus, taxonomies of methods of behaviour change must distinguish the specific determinants that are targeted, practical, specific applications, and the theory-based methods they embody. In addition, taxonomies should acknowledge that the lists of behaviour change methods will be used by, and should be used by, intervention developers. Ideally, the taxonomy should be readily usable for this goal; but alternatively, it should be clear how the information in the taxonomy can be used in practice. The IM taxonomy satisfies these requirements, and it would be beneficial if other taxonomies would be extended to also meet these needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerjo Kok
- a School of Psychology & Neuroscience , Maastricht University , Maastricht , MD , The Netherlands
| | - Nell H Gottlieb
- b School of Public Health , University of Texas , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Gjalt-Jorn Y Peters
- a School of Psychology & Neuroscience , Maastricht University , Maastricht , MD , The Netherlands.,c School of Psychology , Open University , Heerlen , DL , The Netherlands
| | | | - Guy S Parcel
- b School of Public Health , University of Texas , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Robert A C Ruiter
- a School of Psychology & Neuroscience , Maastricht University , Maastricht , MD , The Netherlands
| | - María E Fernández
- b School of Public Health , University of Texas , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Christine Markham
- b School of Public Health , University of Texas , Houston , TX , USA
| | - L Kay Bartholomew
- b School of Public Health , University of Texas , Houston , TX , USA
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Feenstra H, Ruiter RAC, Kok G. Evaluating traffic informers: testing the behavioral and social-cognitive effects of an adolescent bicycle safety education program. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2014; 73:288-295. [PMID: 25261912 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2014.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 09/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In The Netherlands, 12-24 years old are over-represented in the total number of traffic fatalities and injuries. In this study, the traffic informer program - designed to promote safe traffic behavior in the pre-driver population - was experimentally evaluated, with a specific focus on bicycle use. Students were subjected to graphic videos of traffic accidents and listened to a first-person narrative provided by a traffic accident victim. The influence of the program on concepts derived from the theory of planned behavior and protection motivation theory (attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, risk-perception, intention and behavior) was assessed. Students from various schools (N=1593;M age=15 years, SD=.84) participated in a quasi-experimental study, either in an experimental or a control group, completing self-report questionnaires one week prior to the program implementation and approximately one month after the program implementation. Mixed regression analyses showed significant positive and negative time × intervention interaction effects on attitude toward traffic violations, relative attitude toward traffic safety, and risk comparison, but not on intention and behavior. More research is needed to find effective behavioral change techniques (other than increasing risk awareness) for promoting safe traffic behavior in adolescents. Research is also needed to address how these can be translated into effective interventions and educational programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Feenstra
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Robert A C Ruiter
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - Gerjo Kok
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
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Kok G. Introduction to the Special Section: The effectiveness of fear appeals in health promotion. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2014; 49:61-2. [DOI: 10.1002/ijop.12043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gerjo Kok
- Department of Work & Social Psychology, Maastricht University; Maastricht The Netherlands
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de Bruin M, Peters GJY. Let's not further obscure the debate about fear appeal messages for smokers. Am J Prev Med 2013; 44:e51. [PMID: 23597826 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2013.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 11/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Zijn er alternatieven voor angstaanjagende voorlichting? Gebruik Intervention Mapping! ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s12508-013-0053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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