Event Title
Manipulations to Influence Risk, Worry, and Health Behavior Intentions
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Psychology
Mentor Information
Amanda Dillard, dillaram@gvsu.edu
Department
Psychology
Location
Kirkhof Center KC52
Start Date
13-4-2011 1:00 PM
End Date
13-4-2011 2:00 PM
Keywords
Health and Wellness
Abstract
According to health behavior theories (e.g., Janz & Becker, 1984), researchers interested in encouraging health behaviors should increase perceived vulnerability to a particular health threat. Although this could be accomplished by increasing worry or perceived risk, previous research has demonstrated that these constructs could interact to predict health behavior in a counter-intuitive manner such that those with high worry and high perceived risk will be least likely to engage in health-protective behavior (Zajac, Klein, & McCaul, 2006). In this experiment, we explored several manipulations that were designed to influence worry and perceived risk of cancer in college students. In addition to examining effects on worry and perceived risk (in comparison to a control condition), we also examined the interactive relationships of worry and risk on health behavior intentions. In this presentation, we will describe the manipulations and their respective effects.
Manipulations to Influence Risk, Worry, and Health Behavior Intentions
Kirkhof Center KC52
According to health behavior theories (e.g., Janz & Becker, 1984), researchers interested in encouraging health behaviors should increase perceived vulnerability to a particular health threat. Although this could be accomplished by increasing worry or perceived risk, previous research has demonstrated that these constructs could interact to predict health behavior in a counter-intuitive manner such that those with high worry and high perceived risk will be least likely to engage in health-protective behavior (Zajac, Klein, & McCaul, 2006). In this experiment, we explored several manipulations that were designed to influence worry and perceived risk of cancer in college students. In addition to examining effects on worry and perceived risk (in comparison to a control condition), we also examined the interactive relationships of worry and risk on health behavior intentions. In this presentation, we will describe the manipulations and their respective effects.