title: Existential Threat or Dissociative Response? Examining Defensive Avoidance of Point-of-Care Testing Devices Through a Terror Management Theory Framework.
abstract: Using a terror management theory framework, this study investigated if providing mortality reminders or self-esteem threats would lead participants to exhibit avoidant responses toward a point-of-care testing device for cardiovascular disease risk and if the nature of the device served to diminish the existential threat of cardiovascular disease. One hundred and twelve participants aged 40-55 years completed an experimental questionnaire. Findings indicated that participants were not existentially threatened by established terror management methodologies, potentially because of cross-cultural variability toward such methodologies. Highly positive appraisals of the device also suggest that similar technologies may beneficially affect the uptake of screening behaviors.
authors: a School of Nursing and Human Sciences , Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Dunne
authors: Pamela
authors: P
authors: Gallagher
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003073:Cognitive Dissonance; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011580:Psychological Techniques; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires