Transcript Meaningful message research began in 1981 when researchers

The Types and Sources of Meaningful Messages About Breast Cancer
Sandi Smith1, Charles Atkin1, Samantha Munday1, Christine Skubiscz2, and Vanessa Ferguson3
{ 1: Michigan State University , 2 :University of Maryland, 3: Eastern Michigan University }
Introduction
Meaningful message research examines
interpersonal messages "…remembered for
extremely long periods of time and which people
perceive as a major influence on the course of
their lives" (Knapp, Stohl, & Reardon (1981).
Meaningful messages were further studied by
Smith and Ellis (2001a; 2001b; 2004), who
showed that they are guides to action.
References
Knapp, M. L., Stohl, C., & Reardon, K. K. (1981). “Memorable”
messages. Journal of Communication, 31, 27-41
Smith, S. W., & Ellis, J. B. (2001). Memorable messages as
guides to self-assessment of behavior: An initial
investigation. Communication Monographs, 68, 154-168.
Ellis, J.B. & Smith, S. W. (2004). Memorable messages as
guides to self-assessment of behavior: A replication and
extension diary study. Communication Monographs, 71,
97-119.
Smith, S.W., Ellis, J. B., & Yoo. J. (2001). Memorable
messages as guides to self-assessment of behavior: The
role of instrumental values. Communication Monograph, 68,
325-339.
Objectives and Methods
Sources of Meaningful Messages
Meaningful messages can aid breast cancer
outreach efforts by informing researchers about
the types and sources of messages women are
recalling that may lead them to or deter them
from action.
In this study, N= 277 women were recruited to
take an online survey regarding meaningful
messages they recalled about breast cancer. A
total of N=158 women recalled such a message,
described it, and identified its source.
Meaningful Message Categories and
Subcategories
Family 22%
Media 34%
Mostly female relatives such as
Mother, Aunt, Grandmother, Sister,
or Cousin
Celebrities, Journalists,
Magazines, Brochures, Television,
Radio, or the Internet
Doctor 15%
Friends 23%
Doctor or other types of health
care professional
Breast Cancer Awareness 32%
Treatment 27%
 Statistics/ Facts
Appearance
 Breast Cancer Affects Us All
Treatment Choices
 Campaigns/ Organizations
Survival Choices
Results
Womanhood
Fear/pain/negative
Meaningful Messages
Appreciation for every day
Breast
Cancer
Awareness Prevention Detection
Treatment Total
Media
27 (17.1%) 2 (1.3%)
15 (9.5%)
10 (6.3%)
Friend
11 (7%)
0
8 (5.1%)
17 (10.8%) 36 (22.8%)
Family
4 (2.5%)
Doctor/
Health Care
Provider
6 (3.8%)
3 (1.9%)
18 (11.4%) 9 (5.7%)
34 (21.5%)
0
15 (9.5%)
3 (1.9%)
24 (15.2%)
Other
3 (1.9%)
0
4 (2.5%)
3 (1.9%)
10 (6.3%)
Total
51 (32.3%) 5 (3.2%)
60 (38%)
42 (26.6)
158 (100%)
Social Support
Early Detection 38%
Breast self exam
Mammograms
Prevention 3%
Breast self exam and mammograms
 Health/ Be Proactive
Early detection
 Improve/ Change a health behavior
 Family Risk
Sources
54 (34.2%)
Conclusions
This publication was made possible by the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers grant
number U01 ES012800 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and the
National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, DHHS. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not
necessarily represent the official views of the NIEHS or NCI.
•Respondents recalled few messages about breast cancer prevention, but they did recall substantial
proportions of messages about awareness, detection, and treatment.; messages about prevention need to be
created in ways that are memorable and meaningful.
•This research demonstrates that media, followed by friends and family, are much more likely than the
medical community to be sources of messages that impact women’s lives; health professionals may need
training to enhance the effectiveness of their communication with patients.