Gain- and Loss-Frame Sun Safety Messages and Psychological Reactance of Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescents are frequently thought of as having strong desires for independence and defiance of authority. Using psychological reactance theory, this study investigated the effects of gain and loss frame messages advocating sun safety behavior on the perceived threats to freedom of high school-aged adolescents. A loss, rather than a gain, frame message produced greater perceived threats to freedom among adolescents. Perceived threats to freedom were associated with anger, but anger was not associated with attitudes toward behavior. Perceived threats to freedom were not associated with negative cognitions, but more negative cognitions were associated with less positive attitudes toward behavior. Implications of the findings on future research are explored.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• Message Framing
• Psychological Reactance
• Sun Safety

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hyunyi Cho

Hyunyi Cho (PhD, Michigan State University) is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at Purdue University. Laura Sands (PhD, University of California, Berkely) is a professor in the School of Nursing at Purdue University.