Conditional Effects of Gain–Loss-Framed Narratives among Current Smokers at Different Stages of Change

Abstract

This study examines how current smokers respond differently to gain-loss-framed antismoking narratives depending on their stages of change to quit smoking. An experiment (N = 461) was conducted with a 2 (narrative perspective: first person vs. third person) × 2 (framing: gain vs. loss) factorial design having smoker's stage of change (precontemplation vs. contemplation/preparation) as a moderator. We observed differential framing effects depending on smoker's current stages of change only when they were exposed to first-person narratives. For precontemplators, a loss-framed (vs. a gain-framed) first-person narrative induced greater quit intentions and stage progression. Conversely, among contemplators and preparers, a gain-framed (vs. a loss-framed) first-person narrative led to greater quit intentions and stage progression. These interactive patterns were partly mediated by self-referencing and perceived similarity. This study proposes an alternative mechanism to explain the conditional framing effect by stages of change and highlights the importance of tailoring messages to smoker's psychosocial characteristics and needs.

Words matter: a randomized controlled study evaluating the impact of decision‐framing on treatment preferences in adults with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

“…In the management of chronic diseases, patients' agreement with clinician recommendations during the shared decision-making process predicts long-term adherence to therapies. [2][3][4][5] In this randomized controlled trial, we examined the effects of gain-framing vs. loss-framing on patient preferences for a proposed therapy among patients with psoriasis with and without psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Ethics approval was obtained from the University of Southern California institutional review board (approval number HS-19-00740).…”

Narrative Voice Matters! Improving Smoking Prevention with Testimonial Messages through Identification and Cognitive Processes

“…The most important limitation of this work is that the proposed mediators were measured rather than being experimentally manipulated, which prevents conclusions with total certainty regarding the proposed causal sequence (identification → counterarguing → outcomes; identification → reactance → outcomes; identification → cognitive elaboration → outcomes). This problem is present in studies that contrast serial mediational models in this field [ 5 , 36 ]. Although temporal precedence is an important element to establish a causal inference, it is also necessary to propose a theoretical argument for the relationship between the mediating mechanisms, a condition that our work fulfils by relying on theoretical models of narrative persuasion.…”

“…Sociodemographic information was collected in the pre-test measures, and three screener questions were included to select the participants, such that only those who declared that they were current smokers, indicated having smoked more than 100 cigarettes during their life and had smoked 5 or more cigarettes every day during the previous week, were included. These eligibility criteria were used with reference to previous studies [ 6 , 35 , 36 ]. Moreover, the degree of tobacco dependence of the participants was also evaluated using the Fagerström test [ 37 ], revealing a moderate dependence on this substance ( M = 4.65, SD = 2.23, Md = 5.00, on a scale with a theoretical range from 0 to 10).…”

Triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio as a predictor of long-term mortality in patients with coronary artery disease after undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a retrospective cohort study

“…Diabetes was defined as a previous definitive diagnosis that referred to fasting blood-glucose (FPG ≥ 7.0 mmol/L), two-hour postprandial glucose (2-h PG) > 11.1 mmol/L during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommendations [19], or active use of hypoglycemic drugs. Smoking was defined as a previous smoking history or active smoking that referred to smoking day after day or every few days and having ever smoked more than 1 hundred cigarettes [20]. Alcohol drinkers were defined as patients who had consumed alcohol at least once before the study started [21].…”