title: An Initial Investigation into Naturally Occurring Loss- and Gain-Framed Memorable Breast Cancer Messages.
abstract: Memorable message research examines interpersonal messages "…remembered for extremely long periods of time and which people perceive as a major influence on the course of their lives" (Knapp, Stohl, & Reardon, 1981, p. 27). They can also guide actions, such as health behaviors. This exploratory research examined self-reported memorable messages about breast cancer to determine if they were framed, emphasizing either the benefits (gain-framed) or the costs (loss-framed) of a behavior. About one-fourth of the messages were framed, with most being gain-framed. The messages tended to emphasize early detection actions. Study limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Carolyn Lauckner (B.A., Michigan State University, 2010) is a Doctoral Student in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media at Michigan State University. Sandi Smith (Ph.D., University of Southern California, 1986) is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts & Sciences and Director of the Health and Risk Communication Center at Michigan State University. Michael Kotowski (Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2007) is an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication Studies at the University of Tennessee. Samantha Nazione (M.A., Michigan State University, 2009) is a Doctoral Student in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University. Cynthia Stohl (Ph.D., Purdue University, 1982) is a Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California-Santa Barbara. Abby Prestin (Ph.D., University of California-Santa Barbara, 2012) is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institutes of Health=National Cancer Center. Jiyeon So (M.A., Purdue University, 2007) is a Doctoral Student in the Department of Communication at the University of California-Santa Barbara. Robin Nabi (Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 1998) is a Professor and Graduate Advisor in the Department of Communication at the University of California-Santa Barbara.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laplante
authors.forename: Sandi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kotowski
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazione
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stohl
authors.forename: Abby
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prestin
authors.forename: Jiyeon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nabi