BACKGROUND: Message framing has been an important focus in health communication research, yet prior meta-analyses found limited support for using framing to increase persuasiveness of health messages. PURPOSE: This meta-analysis distinguished the outcomes used to assess the persuasive impact of framed messages (attitudes, intentions, or behavior). METHODS: One hundred eighty-nine effect sizes were identified from 94 peer-reviewed, published studies which compared the persuasive impact of gain- and loss-framed messages. RESULTS: Gain-framed messages were more likely than loss-framed messages to encourage prevention behaviors (r = 0.083, p = 0.002), particularly for skin cancer prevention, smoking cessation, and physical activity. No effect of framing was found when persuasion was assessed by attitudes/intentions or among studies encouraging detection. CONCLUSIONS: Gain-framed messages appear to be more effective than loss-framed messages in promoting prevention behaviors. Research should examine the contexts in which loss-framed messages are most effective, and the processes that mediate the effects of framing on behavior.
BACKGROUND: Message framing has been an important focus in health communication research, yet prior meta-analyses found limited support for using framing to increase persuasiveness of health messages. PURPOSE: This meta-analysis distinguished the outcomes used to assess the persuasive impact of framed messages (attitudes, intentions, or behavior). METHODS: One hundred eighty-nine effect sizes were identified from 94 peer-reviewed, published studies which compared the persuasive impact of gain- and loss-framed messages. RESULTS: Gain-framed messages were more likely than loss-framed messages to encourage prevention behaviors (r = 0.083, p = 0.002), particularly for skin cancer prevention, smoking cessation, and physical activity. No effect of framing was found when persuasion was assessed by attitudes/intentions or among studies encouraging detection. CONCLUSIONS: Gain-framed messages appear to be more effective than loss-framed messages in promoting prevention behaviors. Research should examine the contexts in which loss-framed messages are most effective, and the processes that mediate the effects of framing on behavior.
Authors: Mary Kay Rayens; Karen M Butler; Amanda T Wiggins; Ganna Kostygina; Ronald E Langley; Ellen J Hahn Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2015-09-18 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: Susan Persky; Rebecca A Ferrer; William M P Klein; Megan R Goldring; Rachel W Cohen; William D Kistler; Haley E Yaremych; Sofia Bouhlal Journal: Ann Behav Med Date: 2019-08-16
Authors: Benjamin A Toll; Alana M Rojewski; Lindsay R Duncan; Amy E Latimer-Cheung; Lisa M Fucito; Julie L Boyer; Stephanie S O'Malley; Peter Salovey; Roy S Herbst Journal: Clin Cancer Res Date: 2014-01-16 Impact factor: 12.531
Authors: Cynthia M Khan; Christine Rini; Barbara A Bernhardt; J Scott Roberts; Kurt D Christensen; James P Evans; Kyle B Brothers; Myra I Roche; Jonathan S Berg; Gail E Henderson Journal: J Genet Couns Date: 2014-12-09 Impact factor: 2.537
Authors: Megan L Ranney; Esther K Choo; Rebecca M Cunningham; Anthony Spirito; Margaret Thorsen; Michael J Mello; Kathleen Morrow Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2014-02-18 Impact factor: 5.012