ABSTRACTS

Volume 5, Number 1
January-March 2000

Vol. 5, Num 1: Contents | Editorial | Up Front | Abstracts

Predicting the Potential for Risky Behavior among Those “Too Young” to Drink as the Result of Appealing Advertising
     Austin, E. and Knaus, C.

A survey of 273 children in Washington state used a predrinking behavior index as a behavioral outcome to assess media effects on precursors to drinking among children for whom alcohol consumption is not yet occurring.  It also examined age trends in relevant beliefs and behaviors.  Perceptions of advertising desirability, the extent to which it seemed appealing, increased steadily from third to ninth grade, whereas identification with portayals, the degree to which individuals wanted to emulate portrayals, leveled off after sixth grade. whend demographics and grade level were controlled, desirability predicted identification, and both predicted expectancies, which is consistent with media decision-making theory.  Expectancies correlated with alcohol predrinking behavior, and expectancies predicted risky behavior, with demographics and grade level controlled. Predrinking behavior and reported risky behavior were correlated.   The results provide cross-sectional support for the view that beliefs and desires developing by thrid grade prime children for future decisions regarding substance use.

Does Knowledge Make a Difference? The Association between Knowledge about Genes and Attitudes  towards Gene Tests
     Jallinoja, P. and Aro, A.

A survey was conducted (n=1,216) to evaluate the level of knowledge about basic facts of genetics and attitudes towards gene tests among the population. Our results show that a majority of the Finnish population generally approved of gene tests. Well over half of the respondents believed that genetic testing will have positive consequences, but many also had worries related to the development of gene tests. We showed that there was an association between knowledge and attitudes, but better knowledge did not simply lead to unambiguous acceptance. Among those with the highest level of knowledge there was in many respects both more enthusiasm and more skepticism than among those with the lowest level of knowledge. Those with a low level of knowledge had more difficulties in taking a stance towards attitude statements. In general, steps should be taken, first, to increase citizens= capabilities to seek for and understand information of genetics and specific diseases when faced with a need for it. Second, steps should be taken to provide citizens with tools to perceive and discuss potential ethical and social problems, which development of gene technology, genetic testing and screening bring along. Sites for these enterprises could be the biology school curriculum, genetic counseling, media, as well as health education and health communication in general.

Social Cognitive Factors Associated with Mother-AdolescentCommunication about Sex
     DiIorio, C.,  Resnicow, K., Dudley, W.,  Thomas, S., Manteuffel, B., Wang, D., Van Marter, D. and Lipana, J.

To better understand why some mothers talk to their children about sex and others do not, we examined the role of two social cognitive variables—self-efficacy and outcome expectancies—in explaining sex-based communication.  The present study was part of a larger study to test the efficacy of two HIV prevention programs for mothers and their adolescents. Mothers and their adolescents were recruited from a large community organization that serves youth who live in disadvantaged circumstances.  The sample for the present study included 486 mothers who averaged 38.4 years of age (SD = 6.73).  The majority were African American (97.7%), not married (66.7%), and had a high school degree (89.5%).  Their adolescents ranged in age from 11 through 14 years of age and most were male (61.3%).  The results of the analysis revealed that mothers who expressed higher levels of self-efficacy and more favorable outcomes associated with talking to their children about sex were more likely to do so.  In a regression analysis, we learned that the mother’s degree of efficacy beliefs, along with her expected outcomes associated with talking about sex, the importance of religious beliefs to her, and the age and sex of her adolescents were important factors associated with talking with them about sex.

Weaving Meanings Together in an AIDS Residence: Communicative Practices, Perceived Health Outcomes, and the Symbolic Construction of Community
     Frey, L., Adelman, M., Flint, L., and Query, J.

This study examines the role of communicative practices in the symbolic construction of health and community among residents living in a residential  facility for people with AIDS. Questionnaire results show that two types of communicative practices--governance/support and everyday/special--are significantly related to residents' perceived physical and emotional health outcomes, their perceptions of the residence as a community (as opposed to a facility or institution), and their satisfaction with living there. Everyday/special practices reveal the communicative means by which perceived health is socially constructed, while governance/support practices reveal the importance of metacommunication for massaging the issues and tensions that pervade community life, and both sets of communicative practices help explain members' perceptions of the residence as a community and their satisfaction with living there. The study provides additional evidence regarding the constitutive nature of communication as a connecting thread that weaves together individual and collective meanings to help create and sustain such concepts as health and community.

FORUM

LETTERS:
Response to DeJong and Wallack's Article: A Critical Perspective on the Drug Czar's Anti-Drug Media Campaign
     McCaffrey, B.

The Drug Czar's Anti-Drug Media Campaign: Continuing Concerns
     DeJong, W. and Wallack, L.

Adolescents’ Perceptions of Print Cigarette Advertising: A Case for Counteradvertising
     Hawkins, K. and Hane, A.C.

Cigarette smoking is a major preventable cause of serious chronic disease.  The majority of smokers begin smoking during their adolescent years.  Print cigarette advertising plays an influential role in encouraging young people to smoke.  Eight hundred and forty-three middle/junior high school aged students from a large midwestern metropolitan area participated in this study of adolescents' recognition of and belief in messages associated with print cigarette advertising.  Results indicated no significant difference between smokers and nonsmokers in their recognition of messages associated with print cigarette advertising.  However, smokers and nonsmokers differed significantly in the degree to which they believed the messages communicated by print cigarette advertising.  Consistent with social cognitive theory, students who smoke at least occasionally were more likely to believe messages conveyed by print cigarette ads than were students who had never smoked. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed, including specification of guidelines for effective counteradvertising.

BOOK REVIEW

Health Communication Research: A Guide to Developments and Direction
    Jackson, L. and Duffy, B.
    Review by Coopman, S.