title: Narratives that address affective forecasting errors reduce perceived barriers to colorectal cancer screening.
abstract: Narratives from similar others may be an effective way to increase important health behaviors. In this study, we used a narrative intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening. Researchers have suggested that people may overestimate barriers to colorectal cancer screening. We recruited participants from the US, ages 49-60 who had never previously been screened for colorectal cancer, to read an educational message about screening for the disease. One-half of participants were randomly assigned to also receive a narrative within the message (control participants did not receive a narrative). The narrative intervention was developed according to predictions of affective forecasting theory. Compared to participants who received only the educational message, participants who received the message along with a narrative reported that the barriers to screening would have less of an impact on a future screening experience. The narrative also increased risk perception for colorectal cancer and interest in screening in the next year.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Center for Behavioral and Decision Sciences in Medicine, 300 N Ingalls, 7B02, Ann Arbor, MI, United States. dillaram@gvsu.edu
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dillard
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fagerlin
authors.forename: Sonya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dal Cin
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Zikmund-Fisher
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ubel
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires