The Influence of Patient Identification and Narrative Transportation on Intentions to Participate in Cancer Research

Abstract

Cancer decision-making interventions commonly utilize narratives as a persuasive strategy to increase identification with the message source, promote involvement with the topic, and elicit greater willingness to adopt recommended behaviors. However, there is little empirical research examining the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of this strategy in the context of cancer research participation. Data for the current manuscript were collected as part of a larger study conducted with cancer patients (N = 413) from the USA, UK, and the Republic of Ireland. Participants viewed and evaluated video-recorded vignettes, illustrating different strategies for discussing clinical trials participation with family members. Results showed nationality was a significant predictor of identification with the main character (i.e., patient) in the vignette. Unexpectedly, these cross-national differences in identification disappeared when patients currently undergoing treatment had higher perceived susceptibility of their cancer. Identification with the main character in the vignettes was a significant predictor of intentions to participate in cancer research, but only when the mediating role of narrative transportation was considered. The findings demonstrate the importance of considering how individual and social identities influence identification with characters in cancer narratives and yield practical guidance for developing arts-based interventions to increase cancer research participation.

A Pilot Study Determining Comprehension and the Acceptability of a Cancer Research Study Website for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

“…Qualitative feedback from patients and caregivers about the website was overwhelmingly positive. Consistent with empirical evidence exploring the positive effect of narratives on health attitudes [26], qualitative data revealed that inclusion of personal narratives (e.g., from cancer survivors, CCT participants) enhanced perceptions of credibility and positively influenced perceptions of information effectiveness among participants. Testimonials enhanced the salience of messages about CCTs among participants and increased their attention to the website.…”

Evaluation of first-person storytelling on changing health-related attitudes, knowledge, behaviors, and outcomes: A scoping review

“…First person storytelling (FPS) from previous patients who have faced or overcome reallife health challenges has the potential to engage patients in different ways than traditional didactic education. Multiple theories, including Narrative Communication Theory [26,[53][54][55], Exemplification Theory [39] and Social Cognitive Theory [56,57] illustrate how FPS may influence decision-making and action. Narrative Communication Theory posits that stories are effective because they transport the audience, [26,[53][54][55] allow the viewer to identify with the storyteller, [58,59] and perceive the story to be real and authentic [60,61].…”

Kamu Spotlarının Kan Bağışı Niyetlerine Etkisinin Covid-19 Moderatörleri Üzerinden İncelenmesi

“…However, this result may not be surprising for PSA communications in terms of activating empathy potential through character involvement. Albeit the PSA activity, through which the viewers are evoked to a relational experience over character engagement, has been suggested in many studies (Igartua, 2010;Moyer-Gusé, 2008;Neil et al, 2019), the current paper could be deemed considerable in terms of associating character identification with altruistic behaviors and donation intentions.…”