title: How self-affirmation reduces defensive processing of threatening health information: evidence at the implicit level.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Self-affirmation reduces defensive responses to threatening health information, but little is known about the cognitive processes instigated by self-affirmation. This study tested whether self-affirmation increases responsiveness to threatening health information at the implicit level.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an experimental study (N = 84), the authors presented high- (coffee drinkers) and low-relevance (noncoffee drinkers) participants with threatening health information linking caffeine consumption to health problems. Prior to reading this information, the authors manipulated self-affirmation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed an unobtrusive lexical decision task to measure the accessibility of threat-related cognitions and reported their perceptions of message quality and intentions to take precautions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among high-relevance participants, self-affirmation increased the accessibility of threat-related cognitions, increased perceptions of message quality, and promoted adaptive behavioral intentions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that self-affirmation can increase implicit responsiveness to threatening health information among a target audience, that is, people for whom the health information is highly relevant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands. g.m.vankoningsbruggen@uu.nl
authors.forename: Guido M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: van Koningsbruggen
authors.forename: Enny
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Roskos-Ewoldsen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003069:Coffee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003657:Decision Making; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007600:Judgment; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012945:Social Values; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003069:Coffee; D002110:Caffeine