How Do Narratives Reduce Resistance? Meta-Analyzing Potential Moderators

• In Event: Top Four Papers in Health Communication

Abstract

Recent meta-analyses demonstrated that narrative message formats are effective at influencing attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. A growing body of theoretical and empirical work, especially in health communication, suggests narratives produce less resistance than nonnarratives, apparently due to narrative engagement processes. The current meta-analysis seeks to synthesize this research, answering (a) whether exposure to narrative vs. nonnarrative messages reduces resistance (experimental studies; 9 studies, 13 effect sizes), and (b) whether narrative engagement is correlated with resistance (correlational studies; 19 studies, 64 effect sizes). We find a small but significant effect in each case. We also explore potential theoretical and methodological moderators to examine whether and how the effect size varies across the proposed moderators. Results of the analyses and implications for health communication scholarship are discussed.

Authors

• Chelsea L Ratcliff, U of Utah

• Ye Sun, U of Utah