Message framing and pap test utilization among women attending a community health clinic

J Health Psychol. 2005 Jan;10(1):65-77. doi: 10.1177/1359105305048556.

Abstract

In a randomized experiment, women (N = 441) watched either a loss- or gain-framed video emphasizing the prevention or detection functions of the Pap test to test the hypothesis that loss- and gain-framed messages differentially influence health behaviors depending on the risk involved in performing the behavior. As predicted, loss-framed messages emphasizing the costs of not detecting cervical cancer early (a risky behavior) and gain-framed messages emphasizing the benefits of preventing cervical cancer (a less risky behavior) were most persuasive in motivating women to obtain a Pap test.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Community Health Centers*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Persuasive Communication*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Vaginal Smears / psychology*
  • Vaginal Smears / statistics & numerical data*
  • Videotape Recording