Parental history of hypertension and screening attendance: effects of wellness appeal versus threat appeal

This study examined whether the orientation of a health appeal differentially influences health beliefs and early-detection practices among young individuals who are potentially at risk. Undergraduates with and without a hypertensive parent were given printed material about hypertension and the importance of early detection framed in either a wellness or illness-threat format. The major dependent measure was attendance at a blood pressure screening during the week following the experimental session. Results showed that parental history (PH) participants were more than twice as likely to attend the screening when given a wellness message in comparison to threat. In the threat condition, PH participants also reported that hypertension was less preventable in comparison to participants without a hypertensive parent. Reported likelihood of developing hypertension was inversely related to subsequent screening attendance among PH participants only. Factors accounting for the efficacy of wellness-oriented appeals among individuals who report a family history are discussed.