Health Communication| Risk Versus Planning Health Narratives Targeting Dutch Truck Drivers: Obtaining Impact Via Different Routes?

Authors

  • Anniek Boeijinga Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  • Hans Hoeken Utrecht Institute of Linguistics OTS, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
  • José Sanders Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Keywords:

narrative persuasion, medium, narrative content, workplace health promotion, truck drivers

Abstract

To understand when and how narrative health interventions can be effective, insights are needed into the processes that are responsible for this impact. In this study, narrative content (risk perception–focused vs. planning strategies–focused) as well as narrative medium (written vs. auditory) were manipulated to examine whether these factors influence intentions to exercise and, if so, whether this effect is obtained via different routes. The intervention’s target group consisted of 120 Dutch truck drivers who were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions. Whereas narrative medium did not yield different effects, narrative content did. Both risk-oriented and planning-oriented narratives yielded positive intentions among the drivers, but they did so via different routes: The risk narrative yielded stronger negative emotions, subsequently influencing intentions, while the planning narrative effectively stimulated concrete action strategies, which also yielded a more positive intention. These findings suggest that, to better understand how narratives can be employed as effective health interventions, attention should be paid to their content.

Author Biographies

Anniek Boeijinga, Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Anniek Boeijinga is a PhD Candidate at the Centre for Language Studies of the Radboud University Nijmegen. She is currently completing her PhD thesis in which she examines the promise of narrative for bridging the intention-behavior gap as well as health inequities between high and low socioeconomic groups.Contact: +31 (0)24 3611475 or a.boeijinga@let.ru.nl

Hans Hoeken, Utrecht Institute of Linguistics OTS, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Hans Hoeken is a Professor in Communication & Information Studies at the Department of Language, Literature & Communication of Utrecht University. His research focuses on the way in which narratives, argumentation as well as rhetorical figures can influence people’s opinions, attitudes, and behavior.

José Sanders, Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands

José Sanders is an Associate Professor in Communication & Information Sciences at the Department of Communication & Information Sciences of the Radboud University Nijmegen. Her research interests include narrative health communication, online health information seeking behavior, narrative journalism, and participatory journalism. 

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Published

2017-11-20

Issue

Section

Special Sections