Responses to Threat Information

Perceptions of one's risk status and the degree of threat associated with an illness effects symptom perceptions and behavioral intentions are suggested.

Abstract

Using the Common Sense Model to examine responses to health risk information, a laboratory study was conducted. Subjects were assigned randomly to one of four groups by manipulating information about high or normal blood glucose (BG) and a low or high threat message about the controllability of Type II diabetes. Subjects in the high BG groups reported more diabetes-related symptoms and stronger intentions to change certain behaviors. Subjects reading a high-threat message expressed stronger intentions to see a health professional than did those reading a low-threat message. The results suggest that perceptions of one's risk status and the degree of threat associated with an illness effects symptom perceptions and behavioral intentions.