Date of Award

January 2014

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Jeffrey Holm

Second Advisor

Nancy Vogeltanz-Holm

Abstract

The current study tested if friendship and discussion would interact with anti-sugary drinks television ads exposure to promote attitudes, intentions, and behaviors consistent with sugary drinks consumption reduction. College students (N= 109) viewed anti-sugary drinks ads either with or without a friend, and either discussed or did not discuss the ads after viewing them. Changes in baseline sugary drinks health knowledge, attitudes toward reducing sugary drinks consumption, sugary drink consumption social norm perceptions, and intentions to reduce sugary drinks consumption were examined at post-exposure and one week follow-up. Changes in baseline self-reported sugary drinks consumption were also examined at one week follow-up. Viewing anti-sugary drinks ads resulted in better knowledge about sugary drinks consumption and health, more positive attitudes toward reducing sugary drinks consumption, greater intentions to reduce sugary drinks consumption, and lower self-reported sugary drinks consumption, although not all effects were maintained at follow-up. The presence of a friend and discussion did not have substantial effects on outcomes, although participants that viewed the ads with a friend showed more positive attitudes toward reducing sugary drinks consumption at follow-up.

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