Back to results

University of Southern Mississippi

Zika Message Analysis

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The following study employs the Extended Parallel Processing Model and Theory of Planned Behavior to understand how to create health messages with the greatest influence on individuals’ behavioral intent to adopt mosquito-borne virus protection behaviors. The study employs a 2 (susceptibility) x 2 (self-efficacy) factorial design, evenly distributing the participants between four messages (N=186). Although the selfefficacy manipulation was ultimately unsuccessful, the findings highlighted the significance of perceived susceptibility on one’s intent to adopt protective behaviors. The results exemplify the importance of the theoretical critical point of the EPPM, where danger control shifts to fear control, and the importance of balance between perceived susceptibility and efficacy. Other determining factors of behavioral intention included descriptive and injunctive norms, or the perceptions of others’ beliefs and behaviors toward a recommended health behavior. Conclusions from the current study aid in further understanding how to create influential and effective behavior-change health messages.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts (MA)
Level thesis:degree_level
Masters Thesis
Year dc:date.available
2019

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Phipps, Alexandria
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Kathryn Anthony
  • Steven Venette
  • John Meyer

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/642
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1692

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Southern Mississippi
Base URL
aquila.usm.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Phipps, Alexandria. Zika Message Analysis. Masters Thesis thesis, 2019. https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/642