This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Web of Science (5) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by McKay, D. L. Articles by Goldberg, J. P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by McKay, D. L. Articles by Goldberg, J. P. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Communicating Cardiovascular Disease Risk Due to Elevated Homocysteine Levels: Using the EPPM to Develop Print Materials

Antioxidants Research Laboratory, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts

Judy M. Berkowitz, PhD

ORC Macro International Inc., Atlanta, Georgia

Jeffrey B. Blumberg, PhD

Antioxidants Research Laboratory, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts

Jeanne P. Goldberg, PhD, RD

Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Center on Nutrition Communication, Boston, Massachusetts

Improving the effectiveness of written information to promote compliance with therapeutic regimens is essential, particularly among older adults. Guiding their development and evaluating their effectiveness with an accepted communication theory or model may help. A preliminary test of written materials developed within the context of the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) to motivate compliant behaviors among older adults at risk for cardiovascular disease is described. Participants who were not previously following the recommendations felt more confident in their ability to do so after reading a high-threat/high-efficacy message. Advanced age, lower education level, an existing chronic illness, and a higher initial homocysteine level were factors associated with lower levels of perceived threat and/or fear and may have attenuated the effectiveness of the message. This study’s results contribute to our understanding of the usefulness of theory-guided written materials in motivating compliant health behaviors. Recommendations for using this model are provided.

Key Words: threat appeal • print material • cardiovascular disease

Health Education & Behavior, Vol. 31, No. 3, 355-371 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/1090198104263353


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?