title: Judged effectiveness of threat and coping appraisal anti-speeding messages.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Using a young driver sample, this experimental study sought to identify which combinations of threat-appraisal (TA) and coping-appraisal (CA) messages derived from protection motivation theory (PMT) participants would judge as most effective for themselves, and for other drivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The criterion variable was reported intention to drive within a signed speed limit. All possible TA/CA combinations of 18 previously highly-rated anti-speeding messages were presented both simultaneously and sequentially. These represented PMT's three TA components: severity, vulnerability, and rewards, and three CA components: self-efficacy, response efficacy, and response costs. Eighty-eight young drivers (34 males) each rated 54 messages for perceived effectiveness for self and other drivers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Messages derived from the TA severity component were judged the most effective. Response cost messages were most effective for females. Reverse third-person effects were found for both females and males, which suggested that combining TA and CA components may increase the perceived relevance of anti-speeding messages for males.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings have potential value for creating effective roadside anti-speeding messages, meriting further investigation in field studies.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Psychology, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland 4222, Australia. Electronic address: rachel.cathcart@griffithuni.edu.au.
authors.forename: Rachel L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Cathcart
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Psychology, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland 4222, Australia. Electronic address: i.glendon@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: A Ian
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Glendon
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012201:Reward; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012449:Safety; D020377:Self Efficacy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anti-speeding message effectiveness; Perceived severity; Speeding behavior; Third-person effects; Young drivers