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Specifying Future Behavior When Assessing Risk Perceptions: Implications for Measurement and Theory

Author

Listed:
  • Erika A. Waters

    (Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA)

  • Nicole Ackermann

    (Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA)

  • Courtney S. Wheeler

    (Department of Surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA)

Abstract

Background . Many theories assert that high perceived risk motivates health behavior change; the empirical literature shows mixed findings. Purpose . To determine whether, for whom, and under what circumstances specifying a future behavior when assessing perceived risk (i.e., “conditioning†risk perception items on behavior) improves data quality and strengthens the perceived risk-intentions/behavior relationship. Methods . Internet panel participants ( N = 787, 58.8% no college experience, 44.4% racial/ethnic minority, 43.7% men, 67.3% aged 18–49 years, 59.0% nonadherent to physical activity guidelines) answered 8 colon cancer perceived risk items in a within-subjects design. Participants answered 4 types of risk perception items: absolute and comparative perceived likelihood and absolute and comparative feelings of risk. Participants answered each type of item twice: once conditioned on not engaging in physical activity and once unconditioned. Results . Compared to unconditioned items, conditioned items elicited fewer “don’t know†(DK) responses (OR = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68–0.93), higher risk perceptions ( b = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.49–0.61) and stronger positive correlations with intentions ( z Steiger = 5.46, P

Suggested Citation

  • Erika A. Waters & Nicole Ackermann & Courtney S. Wheeler, 2019. "Specifying Future Behavior When Assessing Risk Perceptions: Implications for Measurement and Theory," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 39(8), pages 986-997, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:medema:v:39:y:2019:i:8:p:986-997
    DOI: 10.1177/0272989X19879704
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    Cited by:

    1. Kim, Hye Kyung & Chung, Sungeun & Kim, Youllee & Lee, Seoin, 2022. "Conditional risk perception and protection behavior: Testing the behavior motivation hypothesis and the risk reappraisal hypothesis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    2. Johnson, Branden B. & Kim, Byungdoo, 2023. "Cross-temporal relations of conditional risk perception measures with protective actions against COVID-19," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

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