ATTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND PERSUASION - INCREASING MAMMOGRAPHY UTILIZATION AMONG WOMEN OVER 40 WITH AN INTERNALLY ORIENTED MESSAGE

One hundred ninety-seven women over 40 years old and not adhering to n ational guidelines for screening mammography viewed persuasive message s varying in attributional emphasis (internal, external, or informatio n-only). Internal attributions of responsibility for health-promoting behavior were expected to motivate the greatest change in women's atti tudes and behaviors in relation to breast cancer and mammography. Atti tudes about breast cancer and mammography were measured immediately an d 6 months after the presentation. Twelve months later, women who view ed the internal message were more likely to have obtained a screening mammogram than women assigned to the other 2 conditions. The attributi ons of responsibility encouraged by the persuasive messages were assoc iated with whether viewing the presentation led to behavior change.