Graduation Year
2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Mass Communications
Major Professor
Kimberly Walker, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Artemio Ramirez, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Janelle Applequist, Ph.D.
Keywords
Anti-vaping messages, ELM, Risk perception, Source credibility
Abstract
E-cigarettes also referred to as vapes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) were developed as a safer alternative to tobacco smoking, but the prevalent usage among young adults has led to deleterious mental and physical health challenges. Communications interventions against e-cigarette use have employed a variety of message strategies, but one that has not received a lot of attention is the credibility of a spokesperson and the impacts it could have. Grounded in the Elaboration Likelihood Model, the current study aimed to examine the impacts of spokesperson credibility in e-cigarette prevention messages, and the moderating role of perceived risk.
The study employed a posttest-only experimental method with 313 participants. While accounting for their levels of perceived risks, participants were exposed to a credible spokesperson and no credible spokesperson conditions with perceived effectiveness, elaboration, and e-cigarette use attitudes as outcomes.
Findings revealed no significant effects for spokesperson credibility, however, perceived risk predicted significant changes in all criterion variables. The main practical implication is that the use of spokespersons on e-cigarette messages might not be solely enough to achieve attitudinal and behavioral change.
Scholar Commons Citation
Maduneme, Emmanuel, "Credibility of Spokespersons and E-cigarette Prevention Messages: Elaboration Likelihood Model and The Moderating Role of Perceived Risk" (2021). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/8820
