Persuasiveness of online flu-vaccination promotional banners

Psychol Rep. 2013 Apr;112(2):365-74. doi: 10.2466/01.13.PR0.112.2.365-374.

Abstract

Young people appear to have relatively little motivation to participate in flu-vaccination programs. This study assessed the effectiveness of online banners in efforts to persuade young people to get vaccinated. Specifically, a 2 x 3 between-subjects factorial design was used to examine the effects of message framing (gain vs loss) and color configuration (white text on a red background, black text on a yellow background, and white text on a blue background) on 180 college students' perceptions of the persuasiveness of flu-vaccination promotional banners. Each participant completed a four-item questionnaire, and the results of an analysis of variance showed that persuasiveness scores were higher among participants exposed to a loss-framed than to a gain-framed message, but only when the loss-framed message was presented in white text on a red background. The theoretical and practical implications of manipulating these two factors in the development of effective health-promotion materials are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attention
  • Color Perception*
  • Developing Countries*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype*
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
  • Influenza, Human / psychology*
  • Internet*
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology*
  • Persuasive Communication*
  • Reading*
  • Students / psychology
  • Subliminal Stimulation
  • Taiwan
  • Unconscious, Psychology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines