OBJECTIVES

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National organizations have highlighted the importance of effective communication in disseminating information about maintenance of cognitive health and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Based on psychosocial research concerning influence of message-framing and involvement (e.g., personal risk factors) on perceptions, judgements, and decisions towards preventive behaviors, the current study aimed at evaluating the effect of these factors on intention to engage in preventive behaviors for cognitive health maintenance.

METHODS : An experimental, cross-sectional factorial survey design was used to construct an online survey based on protection motivation theory (PMT). Message-framing (positive-framing and negative-framing) and involvement (Low and High) were the primary independent variables and PMT constructs of perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, response-efficacy, self-efficacy and intention to engage in recommended preventive behaviors were the dependent variables, all measured on a 7-point Likert scale. Structural equation modeling was used for model testing. Reliability analysis, descriptive statistics, ANCOVA and multiple linear regression were performed using SAS® version 9.2 at a priori significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS : A total of 368 completed surveys were obtained. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that involvement had a significant positive association with perceived severity (p=0.0478), perceived vulnerability (p=0.0318) and intention (p=0.0001). Message framing had a significant positive association with perceived severity (p=0.0041) and perceived vulnerability (p=0.0007) but a negative association with self-efficacy (p=0.002). Path analysis indicated that message-framing had an indirect negative effect on intention.

CONCLUSIONS

: The study results indicated that higher involvement (personal risk factors) has a positive effect on PMT constructs towards improving engagement in preventive behaviors for cognitive health. Message-framing had a positive effect on perceived severity and vulnerability, negative effect on self-efficacy and a negative indirect effect on intention. The results highlight the importance of increasing awareness about personal risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and using appropriate message-framing in developing educational materials for cognitive health.