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Secondary Risk Theory: The Role of Personal Relevance as a Boundary Condition
Prerna Shah1, Xinxia Dong2, Yi Yin Leong3
1Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.
Applying the secondary risk theory, this study experimentally tested whether highlighting the severity and susceptibility of the risks of mammogram influenced women's threat appraisal and intention to get a mammogram, accounting for their threat appraisal and efficacy appraisal of the primary risk - breast cancer. Results demonstrated that secondary risk appraisal indeed decreased participants' intention to get a mammogram. Moreover, personal relevance served as a boundary condition that determined the strength of this relationship.
Applying the secondary risk theory, this study experimentally tested whether highlighting the severity and susceptibility of the risks of mammogram influenced women's threat appraisal and intention to get a mammogram, accounting for their threat appraisal and efficacy appraisal of the primary risk - breast cancer. Results demonstrated that secondary risk appraisal indeed decreased participants' intention to get a mammogram. Moreover, personal relevance served as a boundary condition that determined the strength of this relationship.
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