title: Promoting the organ donor card: a causal model of persuasion effects.
abstract: Due to the present critical shortage of donor organs available for transplantation, effective communication strategies are necessary to heighten public commitment to donation. The promotion of organ donor card-signing may be a successful vehicle in the achievement of this goal. Based on the Elaboration Likelihood Model of persuasion effects, evidence of the motivation for organ donor card-signing, and examination of previous donation message tests, this study proposes and tests a causal model of response to organ donor card appeals. The inter-relationship of values, empathy arousal, and issue involvement was found to be a significant driving force in the persuasive process for the behavioral intention to sign an organ donor card. Implications of these findings for future research are addressed.
authors.affiliation: Lehigh University Center for Social Research, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Skumanich
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kintsfather
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010174:Pamphlets; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D012945:Social Values; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014481:United States