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Increasing perceptions of disease vulnerability through imagery
M T DePalma1, M McCall, G English
1Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, USA.
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Imagery influences perceived vulnerability to AIDS, with gender playing a key role. Women
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Health Communication
Background:
- Cognitive availability of disease symptoms can heighten vulnerability perceptions.
- Previous research indicates gender differences in responses to AIDS information.
- The impact of imagery on perceived vulnerability to real diseases like AIDS, considering gender, remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of imagery on perceived vulnerability to AIDS.
- To examine gender-specific responses to imagining or reading AIDS symptoms.
- To inform AIDS intervention program design through integrated theory and experimentation.
Main Methods:
- Undergraduate students were exposed to disease symptoms (AIDS or fictitious hyposcenia-B) that were either easy or hard to imagine.
- Participants either read or imagined the provided disease symptoms.
- Perceived vulnerability to the disease was assessed.
Main Results:
- Imagining symptoms increased perceived vulnerability to a fictitious disease, replicating prior research.
- Imagery, not just reading symptoms, was significantly linked to perceived vulnerability to AIDS.
- A significant gender interaction was observed: women's vulnerability increased when reading, while men's increased when imagining symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Imagery significantly impacts perceived vulnerability to AIDS, with distinct gender-based responses.
- Understanding these gender differences in imagery processing is crucial for effective AIDS prevention.
- Findings support integrating psychological theory and experimental data for targeted AIDS intervention strategies.