Can scare tactics and fear-based messages help deter substance misuse: a systematic review of recent (2005–2017) research

Esrick, Josh; Kagan, Raanan; Carnevale, John; Valenti, Maria Teresa; Rots, Gisela; Dash, Kim

doi:10.1080/09687637.2018.1424115

Cited by 19 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Findings from health education research have also demonstrated that young adults perceive facts as more accurate than shock tactics in smoking prevention campaigns, 41 and that shock tactics produce inconsistent effects in deterring substance use. 42 Arguments have been made…”

Section: Don't Let Your Mates Drink and Drownmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Respecting alcohol, respecting the water: Young adult perspectives on how to reduce alcohol‐influenced drownings in Australia

Calverley

Petrass

Blitvich

2021

Health Prom J of Aust

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Issue addressed: Alcohol-influenced drowning among young Australians (aged 18-24 years) is a prominent health concern. However, effectiveness of targeted prevention campaigns for this age group is unknown, as this information is not typically published in peer-reviewed or easily accessed grey literature. Accordingly, future campaigns cannot build on prior efforts to address this health problem.Methods: Semi-structured interviews ascertained young Australian adults' perspectives on preventing alcohol consumption in aquatic settings, and their awareness of appropriate safety strategies and Australian national and state drowning prevention campaigns. Discussions were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach.Results: Twenty-three individuals (mean age 20.65 years) participated in an interview. Participants had poor understanding of alcohol-focused drowning prevention campaigns and used logos and names to decipher key campaign messages. Education was recommended as the preferred method for prevention, and participants suggested preferences for delivery (eg social media, in schools, humour and shock tactics). The safety strategies discussed appeared to be transferred from strategies used in other contexts, rather than related to the specific risks of aquatic scenarios. Conclusions: Drowning prevention practitioners should ensure transparency and clarity of their campaign names and logos to enhance understanding of the messages. Practitioners should also consider using audience analysis during campaign design, delivery and evaluation, alongside best practice recommendations from literature, to enhance campaign suitability and effectiveness.So what? Water safety practitioners and policy makers should acknowledge these findings when developing campaigns which address young adults' lack of awareness of safe aquatic behaviours to encourage a sustained behaviour change.

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Section: Don't Let Your Mates Drink and Drownmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…that in prevention campaigns with well-designed content, shock tactics could be beneficial. 42 However, with regards to reducing alcohol use among young adults, a harm reduction approach appears to have more prospects for inciting behaviour changes (eg Ref. 43,44).…”

Section: Don't Let Your Mates Drink and Drownmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respecting alcohol, respecting the water: Young adult perspectives on how to reduce alcohol‐influenced drownings in Australia

Calverley

Petrass

Blitvich

2021

Health Prom J of Aust

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“…Given the positive experiences endorsed by consumers of DMT, NBOMe and 2C-x, such consumers might be less likely to cease use of these substances -especially in the face of education campaigns (often from government organisations) that are inconsistent with their personal experiences. Indeed, despite being used for decades as a method for substance use behavioural change, evidence regarding the efficacy of mass-media campaigns (often using scare tactics and fear-based campaigns) is mixed (Allara et al, 2015, Beck, 1998, Esrick et al, 2018, Hill et al, 1998, Simpson, 2017, Soames Job, 1988, Wakefield et al, 2010, Witte and Allen, 2000. A recent systematic review of peer-reviewed studies during 2005-2017, found that most of the study interventions (i.e.…”

Section: The Heterogeneity Of Nps Consumers and The Intersection With The Illicit Drug Marketmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent systematic review of peer-reviewed studies during 2005-2017, found that most of the study interventions (i.e. fear-based messages and scare tactics) included in their analysis showed some evidence of effectiveness in influencing substance-use related measures; however, the outcomes were generally focused on intention to use and perceptions, rather than actual drug use (Esrick et al, 2018). In several studies, although the intervention was more effective than the control, it was less effective than 'gain-framed' messages -that is, messages designed to create positive emotion.…”

Section: The Heterogeneity Of Nps Consumers and The Intersection With The Illicit Drug Marketmentioning

confidence: 99%

New psychoactive substances in Australia: patterns and characteristics of use, adverse effects, and interventions to reduce harm

Sutherland

Allsop

Peacock

2020

Current Opinion in Psychiatry

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Over the past decade, countries worldwide have observed the rapid emergence of substances collectively referred to as 'new psychoactive substances' (NPS). To date, hundreds of NPS have been identified; however, for the most part very little is known about these substances. The exponential growth of NPS, combined with uncertainty regarding potential harms, has generated considerable concern amongst policy makers and there is international consensus regarding the need for ongoing monitoring and research into the NPS market. However, much of the research conducted in this area originates from Europe and the United States, with Australian-specific studies relatively scarce. This thesis aimed to address this gap in Australian specific studies using two data sources: the 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS: a general population prevalence survey) and the Ecstasy and related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS: a national survey of high frequency psychostimulant consumers). Specifically, this thesis aimed to: 1) determine if there was a distinct group of exclusive Australian NPS consumers; 2) examine rates of use of different classes of NPS amongst people who use other illicit substances; 3) examine the motivations associated with NPS use; and 4) explore the purchasing and supply patterns of NPS consumers.A number of key findings emerged from this thesis. Firstly, using data from the NDSHS, it was found that there is no distinct group of exclusive Australian NPS consumers; rather they primarily consist of people using a range of illicit substances. Secondly, using data from the EDRS, it was found that the NPS market is highly dynamic, with the consumption of particular NPS classes changing over time. Thirdly, NPS use appears to be a marker for higher engagement in substance use, and as such, higher rates of drug-related risk behaviours. Finally, the collective findings of this thesis illustrate the heterogeneity of NPS consumers.Taken together, these findings suggest that specialised NPS interventions may be unnecessary; rather, existing health services should screen for and be equipped to deal with NPS-related presentations. Furthermore, the diverse and rapidly changing nature of the NPS market demonstrate the need for international collaboration, combined with a rapidly responsive health framework.Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation.I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). SignatureWitness Signature 31 August...

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“…Previous studies suggest that emotion can help address chronic illness care (Strachan, Bean, & Jung, 2018). One of the emotions prominently used in the previous couple of decades was fear, and its operationalisation was unquestioned until recently where its proponents received heavy criticisms on ethical grounds (Esrick et al, 2019). "Fear is defined as an emotional and physical response to a threat or danger."…”

Section: Considering the Effectiveness Of Fear-based Messagesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fear-based health messages for Malay diabetes patients in Singapore

Kawaja¹

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v support and supplications. Taufik, Rachid, Jamal, Farouk, Riaz and Faisal have been my goto-men. Words cannot express my gratitude to my sister, Noor Aini. She has been the bedrock in my life. When our father passed away, she has assumed the role entirely and sacrificed herself for the family's benefit. I would not have been able to achieve the things I did without her. Thanks to my younger brother for his in-depth discussions in life and being a good friend. I dedicate my work to my four lovely children-Haney, Hud, Zainal Abidin and A'isyah, and my nephew, Muhammad, whom I consider as my own. I appreciate my wife; Wan Azrina does not seem to be fazed by the hassle of managing our four young children. She took over the dual role of being a mother and a father, especially towards the end of my thesis writing. Most of my friends tell me that I am lucky to have a "cool" mother. When I was in primary school, the vice-principal of Tao Nan School commended my mother because she would cook for my friends and took care of them before we go for our co-curricular activities. She continued this tradition until I was in college. My house was known as the "port" among my friends where they would come to chill-out. My mother has been supportive of everything I do and provides me with advice whenever I need one. I know in seclusion, she would supplicate and seek blessings for me. I know my late father has been doing the same. vi SUMMARY Diabetes is a major cause of death worldwide and ranks amongst killer diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The Malays with Type 2 diabetes were being investigated in this research as they are the most susceptible to the disease compared to the other ethnic groups in Singapore. Among the non-clinical intervention programmes, scholarly articles suggest that emotion-based health messages can be a powerful driver to promote health preservation attitudes and behaviours. The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of fear-based messages on patients' behaviours in managing their diabetes condition. To achieve this objective, the research was divided into three phases. In Phase I, forty stimuli were curated. Eight patients with diabetes and eight healthcare providers took part in two separate focus group discussions (FGDs) and a one-to-one interview to determine the appropriateness of the stimuli curated. In Phase II, 100 patients were recruited and asked to rank the stimuli according to three emotion metrics: valence, arousal and dominance. The metrics were derived from the standard Self-Assessment-Manikin (SAM). In Phase III, the rated stimuli were used in a 2 (high-threat, low-threat) x 2 (image, text) factorial design experiment, where 60 patients were recruited. The research findings indicated that varying the threat levels and manipulating the type of format (image or text) had no significant impact on Malay patients accepting the health messages. However, it was found that varying threat levels could influence message acceptance among Malay patients when mode...

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Can scare tactics and fear-based messages help deter substance misuse: a systematic review of recent (2005–2017) research

Cited by 19 publications

References 31 publications

Respecting alcohol, respecting the water: Young adult perspectives on how to reduce alcohol‐influenced drownings in Australia

Respecting alcohol, respecting the water: Young adult perspectives on how to reduce alcohol‐influenced drownings in Australia

New psychoactive substances in Australia: patterns and characteristics of use, adverse effects, and interventions to reduce harm

Fear-based health messages for Malay diabetes patients in Singapore

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