title: Investigating the impact of message format, involvement, scientific literacy, and education on attitude toward reducing cancer risk through regulation.
abstract: Recent research links perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) to increased breast cancer risk. Efforts to inform the lay public about potential risks associated with PFOA need to be accessible in their content as many individuals, including highly educated ones, have low scientific literacy. This study investigates the role of message format, as well as personal involvement, scientific literacy, and education in influencing attitudes about PFOA regulation. Participants (N = 2,078) were exposed to one of three message formats about PFOA and then responded to survey questions related to their attitude about the need for new regulation. Results revealed that issue involvement was positively related to favorable attitude regarding new regulation, while education and advocacy status were negatively related; cancer experience, scientific literacy, and message format did not influence attitude about new regulation. Implications of the results are discussed as they relate to communicating uncertain risk information to inform and influence lay individuals.
authors: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA. silk@msu.edu
authors: Kami J
authors: KJ
authors: Silk
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Nazione
authors: Lindsay
authors: L
authors: Neuberger
authors: Sandi
authors: S
authors: Smith
authors: Charles
authors: C
authors: Atkin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002210:Caprylates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002210:Caprylates; D005466:Fluorocarbons; C023036:perfluorooctanoic acid