Secondhand Smoke Risk Communication: Effects on Parent Smokers' Perceptions and Intentions. Issue 7 (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sontag, Jennah M.; Delnevo, Cristine D.; Hegyi, Thomas; Ostfeld, Barbara M.; Wackowski, Olivia A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of health communication. Volume 25:Issue 7(2020)
• Page Start: 554
• Page End: 565
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: Communication in medicine -- Periodicals; 610.14
• DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2020.1797947
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1081-0730

Abstract

Abstract : This study examined effective strategies to communicate with parent smokers about the risks of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure to children. An online, between-subjects experimental survey was administered via TurkPrime Panels to recruit participants ( N = 623) comprising adult smokers living with children (aged 0–15). Participants were assigned to messages conditions that differed by message recommendation (cessation; cessation+exposure reduction) and format (video; text-only) or to a no-message control. Participants in a message condition viewed a message, and all participants responded to questions about their perceptions and intentions. Parent smokers who viewed either message recommendation reported greater harm perceptions ( p <.001), self-efficacy ( p <.001), and help-seeking intentions ( p <.05) than the no-message control group. Cessation+exposure reduction recommendations elicited greater quit intentions than the no-message control ( p <.05). Compared to text-only, videos elicited greater reduce-exposure intentions ( p <.05) and interpersonal communication intentions ( p <.05). Only videos elicited greater quit intentions ( p <.01) and help-seeking intentions ( p <.01) than the no-message control. Communication about this topic can be optimized by recommending both cessation and exposure-reduction behaviors (versus cessation only), and by using videos (versus traditional print/text-based materials).