Using the Extended Parallel Process Model to Prevent Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Among Coal Miners in Appalachia

Abstract

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss is the second most self-reported occupational illness or injury in the United States. Among coal miners, more than 90% of the population reports a hearing deficit by age 55. In this formative evaluation, focus groups were conducted with coal miners in Appalachia to ascertain whether miners perceive hearing loss as a major health risk and if so, what would motivate the consistent wearing of hearing protection devices (HPDs). The theoretical framework of the Extended Parallel Process Model was used to identify the miners' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and current behaviors regarding hearing protection. Focus group participants had strong perceived severity and varying levels of perceived susceptibility to hearing loss. Various barriers significantly reduced the self-efficacy and the response efficacy of using hearing protection.

The Role of the Affect and Availability Heuristics in Risk Communication

“…Whether people will in turn act in accordance with their awareness and in fact take precautionary measures depends on further psychological factors. Self‐efficacy is one important factor for understanding and changing precaution behavior (Murray‐Johnson et al ., 2004; Witte, 1992). Even though not directly examined in the present study, changing behavior is the most important goal of risk communication.…”

Use of the Extended Parallel Processing Model to Evaluate Culturally Relevant Kernicterus Messages

“…Because the EPPM is a message construction framework well-adapted to the construction of successful health behavior messages (Gore & Bracken, 2005;Hullett & Witte, 2001;Murray-Johnson et al, 2004;Rimal, 2001;Roberto et al, 2000;Smith et al, 2008;Witte, 1997), the model was utilized in this study as a guiding framework for design and analysis of interview questions for multicultural parents and health care professionals as they evaluated kernicterus prevention materials.…”

What Is the Truth? An Application of the Extended Parallel Process Model to Televised Truth® Ads

“…The EPPM has been examined in a variety of health contexts, such as messages regarding HIV/AIDS (e.g., Witte, 1994Witte, , 1998Witte & Morrison, 2000), meningitis (Gore & Bracken, 2005), cardiovascular disease (Rimal, 2001), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and pregnancy (e.g., Roberto, Zimmerman, Carlyle, & Abner, 2007), hearing loss for coal miners (Murray-Johnson et al, 2004), and various cancers (Hubbell, 2006;Kline & Mattson, 2000;Morman, 2000;Stephenson & Witte, 1998). Additionally, the EPPM has been used as a framework for other preventative behaviors including gun safety (Roberto, Meyer, Johnson, & Atkin, 2000) and self-defense (Morrison, 2005).…”