The role of message framing in promoting MMR vaccination: Evidence of a loss-frame advantage

Abstract

This study examined the effects of message framing on intentions to obtain the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for one's child and investigated whether Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and perceived outcome efficacy variables mediate and/or moderate message framing effects. One hundred and forty women read either a loss-framed or gain-framed message and then completed measures assessing their intentions to obtain the MMR vaccine for their child, and TPB and outcome efficacy variables. Exposure to the loss frame increased intentions to obtain the MMR vaccine and influenced perceptions of outcome efficacy. This suggests that outcome efficacy, but not other TPB variables may mediate framing effects within the context of MMR vaccination. Message frame, in addition to TPB variables, significantly predicted unique variance in behavioural intentions. These findings are discussed within the context of Prospect Theory, perceived risk and prevention/detection behaviours.

Keywords:

• Detection behaviour
• outcome efficacy
• perceived risk
• prevention behaviour
• protection motivation theory
• response efficacy
• Theory of Planned Behaviour
• uncertainty

Notes

1. We acknowledge that the Cronbach's alpha for PBC is below the satisfactory threshold (<.70, Cortina, 1993), although, it was retained in the analysis, for completeness, as exclusion did not alter the results. Moreover, it is likely that the low alpha may account for PBC not significantly accounting for variability in MMR vaccination behavioural intentions.