Specifying Future Behavior When Assessing Risk Perceptions: Implications for Measurement and Theory.

ABSTRACT: Background. Many theories assert that high perceived risk motivates health behavior change; the empirical literature shows mixed findings. Purpose. To determine whether, for whom, and under what circumstances specifying a future behavior when assessing perceived risk (i.e., "conditioning" risk perception items on behavior) improves data quality and strengthens the perceived risk-intentions/behavior relationship. Methods. Internet panel participants (N = 787, 58.8% no college experience, 44.4% racial/ethnic minority, 43.7% men, 67.3% aged 18-49 years, 59.0% nonadherent to physical activity guidelines) answered 8 colon cancer perceived risk items in a within-subjects design. Participants answered 4 types of risk perception items: absolute and comparative perceived

SUBMITTER: Waters EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6895428 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature