Objectives: This study examined before whether a match between the orientation of an individual (promotion vs. prevention) and the type of communication message (fit vs. unfit) leads to higher or lo-wer risk perception (RP) of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The study moreover in-vestigated what kind of message-framing (prevention vs. promotion) is more persuasive in increasing STIs RP. The study finally explored potential associations between the regulatory orientation, obses-sive-compulsive tendencies and the STIs RP. Design and Method: The study employed a 2 (promotion vs. prevention) x 2 (fit vs. unfit) between-subjects factorial design. A sample of 547 Italian young adults (425 females and 122 males) participat-ed in the compilation of an anonymous questionnaire in which, randomly, they were assigned to the promotion or prevention condition: the participants read a flyer containing a message frame that fitted or did not fit their previous condition (promotion vs. prevention). Subsequently, participants were asked to answer questions about their RP of contracting STIs. After 1 month, 121 participants were given an anonymous questionnaire to evaluate obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Results: The study revealed no significant difference in the persuasive efficacy between fit vs. unfit conditions on the RP of STIs [F(3 499)=1.61, p=.18, η2p=.010]. However, the prevention group showed a greater RP of STIs (M=1.71, SD=.85) than the promotion one (M=1.58, SD=.73). Furthermore, no as-sociation between the regulatory orientation and obsessive-compulsive tendencies was found (suffi-cient control over the mental activity [t(54)=.91, p=.36]; behavioral control [t(54)=-.88, p=.38]; impulsi-vity control [t(54)=.003, p=.99]; contamination [t(54)=-1.93, p=.059]). Conclusions: The findings would suggest that an effective public sexual health campaign should rely on prevention-frame messages in motivating people to engage in healthy sexual behaviors.
TESTING THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT RISK-COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES ON RISK PERCEPTION OF CONTRACTING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS / Galizia, Roberta; Petrocchi, Serena; Schulz, Peter J.; Nimbi, Filippo M.; Simonelli, Chiara. - (2021). (Intervento presentato al convegno 15th congress of the European Federation of Sexology tenutosi a Virtual).
TESTING THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT RISK-COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES ON RISK PERCEPTION OF CONTRACTING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
Roberta Galizia;Filippo M. Nimbi;Chiara Simonelli
2021
Abstract
Objectives: This study examined before whether a match between the orientation of an individual (promotion vs. prevention) and the type of communication message (fit vs. unfit) leads to higher or lo-wer risk perception (RP) of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The study moreover in-vestigated what kind of message-framing (prevention vs. promotion) is more persuasive in increasing STIs RP. The study finally explored potential associations between the regulatory orientation, obses-sive-compulsive tendencies and the STIs RP. Design and Method: The study employed a 2 (promotion vs. prevention) x 2 (fit vs. unfit) between-subjects factorial design. A sample of 547 Italian young adults (425 females and 122 males) participat-ed in the compilation of an anonymous questionnaire in which, randomly, they were assigned to the promotion or prevention condition: the participants read a flyer containing a message frame that fitted or did not fit their previous condition (promotion vs. prevention). Subsequently, participants were asked to answer questions about their RP of contracting STIs. After 1 month, 121 participants were given an anonymous questionnaire to evaluate obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Results: The study revealed no significant difference in the persuasive efficacy between fit vs. unfit conditions on the RP of STIs [F(3 499)=1.61, p=.18, η2p=.010]. However, the prevention group showed a greater RP of STIs (M=1.71, SD=.85) than the promotion one (M=1.58, SD=.73). Furthermore, no as-sociation between the regulatory orientation and obsessive-compulsive tendencies was found (suffi-cient control over the mental activity [t(54)=.91, p=.36]; behavioral control [t(54)=-.88, p=.38]; impulsi-vity control [t(54)=.003, p=.99]; contamination [t(54)=-1.93, p=.059]). Conclusions: The findings would suggest that an effective public sexual health campaign should rely on prevention-frame messages in motivating people to engage in healthy sexual behaviors.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
