Asking questions changes behavior: mere measurement effects on frequency of blood donation.
OBJECTIVE
This research examined the impact of completing a questionnaire about blood donation on subsequent donation behavior among a large sample of experienced blood donors.


METHODS
Participants (N=4672) were randomly assigned to an experimental condition that received a postal questionnaire measuring cognitions about donation or a control condition that did not receive a questionnaire.


METHODS
Number of registrations at blood drives and number of successful blood donations were assessed using objective records both 6 months and 12 months later.


RESULTS
Findings indicated that, compared to control participants, the mean frequency of number of registrations at blood drives among participants in the experimental group was 8.6% greater at 6 months (p<.0.007), and was 6.4% greater at 12 months (p<.035). Significant effects were also observed for successful blood donations at 6 months (p<.001) and 12 months (p<.004).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide the first evidence that the mere measurement is relevant to promoting consequential health behaviors. Implications of the research for intervention evaluation are discussed.
Godin
Gaston
G
Faculty of Nursing, Laval University, Quebec, Canada. gaston.godin@fsi.ulaval.ca
Sheeran
Paschal
P
Conner
Mark
M
Germain
Marc
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires