Monitoring styles in women at risk for cervical cancer: Implications for the framing of health-relevant messages

We explored the intel action effects of individual attentional style (high versus low monitoring) and the framing of informational messages on the res ponses of women undergoing diagnostic follow-lip (colposcopy)for precancero ns cervical lesions. Prior to the colposcopic procedure, patients (N=76) we re randomly assigned to one of three preparatory conditions: (a) Loss-frame d message, which emphasized the cost of nonadherence to screening recommend ations; (b) cain-framed message, which emphasized the benefit of adherence; and (c) Neurrally-framed message. It was hypothesized that low monitors (w ho are more positively biased about their health) would show a move adaptiv e pattern of response to loss-framed information than high monitors (who ar e more negatively biased about their health). The results of a series of hi erarchical multiple regression analyses were consistent with this predictio n. Low monitoring was associated with greater knowledge retention (beta = . 61, p < .05) and less canceling/ rescheduling of follow-up appointments in the loss condition than in the neutral condition (beta = .82, p < .002). Hi gh monitoring, however was associated with greater intrusive ideation when information was presented in the loss-oriented frame as compared to the neu tral frame (beta = .99, p < .01). Knowledge retention and screening adheren ce were not affected by the framing manipulation The differences between hi gh versus low monitors as a function of loss or neutral frame suggest an in teraction effect, wherein both the type of framing message and the individu al's attentional style lend to distinctive cognitive-affective and behavior al patterns. The findings may have clinical implications for the tailoring of health messages to the individual's signature style.