The Effects of Framing of Memorable Breast Cancer Messages on Engagement in Detection or Prevention Behaviors

• In Event: Health Messages and Outcomes: Perception, Behavior, and Prevention

Abstract

Memorable messages can to be guides to actions such as practicing health behaviors. Message framing suggests that gain framed messages are well suited to promote disease prevention behaviors, whereas loss-framed messages are better for promoting detection behaviors. A set of self-reported memorable messages about breast cancer was examined. About one-fourth of the reported messages were framed, and most of them were gain-framed. Gain-framed messages were found to be significantly associated with prevention behaviors.

Authors

• Carolyn LaPlante, Michigan State University

• Sandi Smith, Michigan State University

• Michael Kotowski, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• Samantha Nazione, Michigan State University