Eudaimonic Experiences as Predictors of Audience Interest in the Paralympics and Destigmatization of Persons With Disabilities

• In Event: Mass Communication: Elevation, Meaningfulness, Altruism

Abstract

This study examines the role of eudaimonic experiences in stimulating audience interest in the Paralympics, and in promoting attitude change about persons with disabilities in general. Based on theories of eudaimonic entertainment and destigmatization, we hypothesized that empathic feelings elicited by the portrayal of human virtues and values exemplified by Paralympic athletes would increase audience interest, and would lead to changes in attitudes and behavioral intentions. Three online experiments were conducted. Participants watched television spots about the Paralympics that elicited different levels of empathic feelings. As expected, structural equation modeling revealed an indirect effect of empathy on audience interest, attitudes, and behavioral intentions that was mediated by elevation and reflective thoughts (Studies 1 and 2) and by feelings of closeness, elevation and pity (Study 3) with positive mediation effects of reflective thoughts, elevation and closeness, and a negative mediation effect of pity.

Authors

• Anne Bartsch, LMU Munich

• Cordula Nitsch, University of Duesseldorf

• Sebastian Scherr, LMU Munich

• Mary Beth Oliver, Pennsylvania State U