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Message framing, dispositional optimism, and follow‐up for abnormal papanicolaou tests
Author(s) -
Lauver Diane,
Rubin Mary
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
research in nursing and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1098-240X
pISSN - 0160-6891
DOI - 10.1002/nur.4770130309
Subject(s) - optimism , attendance , papanicolaou stain , psychology , papanicolaou test , regret , framing (construction) , clinical psychology , social psychology , medicine , developmental psychology , cervical cancer , structural engineering , cancer , machine learning , computer science , economics , economic growth , engineering
The effects of alternatively framed messages and dispositional optimism on follow‐up for abnormal Papanicolaou tests were studied. Participants ( N =116) had a mean age of 24; 94% were black, 67% had a high school education, and 82% received public assistance. A message about losses without follow‐up or gains with follow‐up was randomly given. Optimism was measured with the Life Orientation Test and attendance was defined as coming or not coming within 6 weeks of contact. Logistic regressions of attendance on framing and optimism did not reveal significant relationships. Exploratory analyses revealed that personal and familial history of disease were related to attendance. Explanations for the findings and implications for research are delineated.