Self-Efficacy Mediates the Effect of Framing Eating Disorders Prevention Message on Intentions to Have a Sufficient Weight: A Pilot Study

Agnès Helme-Guizon, Marie-Laure Gavard-Perret, Rebecca Shankland and Valentin Flaudias
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Agnès Helme-Guizon: Laboratoire CERAG—Grenoble INP, Institut of Engineering and Management, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
Marie-Laure Gavard-Perret: Laboratoire CERAG—Grenoble INP, Institut of Engineering and Management, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
Rebecca Shankland: Laboratoire DIPHE, Université Lumière Lyon 2, 69000 Lyon, France
Valentin Flaudias: Pôle Psychiatrie B, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Université Clermont Auvergne, EA NPsy-Sydo, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-9

Abstract: Background: In the context of social marketing, the effectiveness of prevention messages is a major issue. The main objective of the present study was to assess the effect of prevention messages framing on self-efficacy reinforcement in order to improve intentions to reach or maintain sufficient weight in a non-clinical sample. It thus focuses on testing the mediating role of self-efficacy. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-three university student women were randomly assigned to one of the two conditions (gain-framed versus loss-framed message). They were exposed to a short persuasive message and surveyed on self-efficacy and intention to maintain sufficient weight. Results: Loss-framed messages elicited higher levels of self-efficacy than gain-framed messages, which led to higher intentions to reach or maintain sufficient weight. This study sheds light on the mediating role of self-efficacy. Conclusions: The results suggest ways to improve the persuasiveness of prevention campaigns, thereby opening up further research avenues.

Keywords: self-efficacy; message framing; eating disorders; health prevention communication; dietary restraint intentions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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