Promoting body positivity through stories: How protagonist body size and esteem influence readers' self-concepts.

Through two experiments (N = 497), we documented how distinct portrayals of women in stories can impact readers' engagement in social comparisons and influence important aspects of their self-concepts. Specifically, this research investigated the effects of character body size (thin vs. large), body esteem (low vs. high), and story ending valence (sad vs. happy) with two distinct storylines. Results indicated that high (vs. low) body esteem characters are not only rated more aspirational, but also led readers with greater self-discrepancy to report lower state body image, suggesting upward social comparison processes are at play. Further, results indicated that reading about characters with large (vs. thin) bodies can positively affect readers' body image; however, this positive effect may be explained by downward social comparison. Findings highlight the complexities of body appearance and confidence. Strategies for effectively promoting body positivity via text-based interventions are discussed.

Instilling Belief in the Ability to Change for the Better: Narrative Persuasion for Sleep Hygiene Self-Efficacy.

The present experiment draws on social cognitive theory to examine how story protagonist self-efficacy (high vs. low) influences participants' sleep hygiene-related self-efficacy and behavior three days after narrative exposure. Social comparisons as factors in narrative impact were examined. To ensure the robustness of findings, two different narratives served as stimuli. Results indicated that immediately after narrative exposure, participants in both the high and low self-efficacy protagonist conditions reported improved self-efficacy. However, only the high self-efficacy condition reported increased self-efficacy three days after narrative exposure, demonstrating lasting impacts. Social comparison moderated the effect of protagonist self-efficacy on participant self-efficacy immediately and three days after exposure: Participants in the high self-efficacy protagonist condition who reported greater social comparison experienced increased sleep-related self-efficacy. Further, a moderated mediation analysis demonstrated that participants with greater social comparison to a high self-efficacy protagonist engaged in more sleep hygiene behaviors as demonstrated in the narrative three days after exposure.

Seeking Inspiration through Health Testimonials: Improving Mothers' Self-Efficacy, Outcome Expectations, and Behavior in Handling Children's Sleep Behavior.

Individuals often seek health information in the form of online personal testimonials from others facing similar medical issues rather than only relying on medical experts' advice. However, little is known about related motivations and the effects of these health testimonials on individuals' health-related outcomes. The current study investigated the influence of individuals' self-concepts on health testimonial selections to test predictions derived from the SESAM model. Mothers (N = 148) selected two health testimonials, featuring different preschooler sleep training methods. Mothers' self-concepts (i.e., parenting style) predicted selection of testimonials with the same parenting style. Reading testimonials that aligned with one's own self-concept improved self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and behavior regarding sleep training through self-improvement social comparison, with impacts still detectable after one week.

Picture Yourself Healthy-How Users Select Mediated Images to Shape Health Intentions and Behaviors.

Hypotheses on how selective viewing of mediated images may sustain eating habits and aid healthier eating were derived from the Selective Exposure Self- and Affect Management model. The model posits that individuals select to view media to manage their self-concepts-and that this exposure affects subsequent intentions and behaviors. Participants (N = 265) selectively viewed Instagram-like postings featuring healthy or unhealthy food imagery. Beforehand, participants reported habits and perceived expert recommendations regarding food intake. After viewing postings, participants chose gift cards representing healthy or unhealthy food purchases and indicated food intake intentions. Results show that existing eating behavior predicts selective exposure to healthy or unhealthy food imagery, which in turn shapes gift card choices and (both healthy and unhealthy) food intake intentions.

The Role of Humor in Messaging about the MMR Vaccine.

Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases have increased due, in part, to misconceptions about vaccine safety (Kennedy et al., 2011). Extant literature has examined various messages designed to correct false beliefs about vaccination risks and to urge parents to vaccinate their children. The present study is designed to contribute to this literature by drawing on the broader research and theory on resistance to persuasion and correcting false beliefs. We examine the effects of a humorous (vs. non-humorous) message about the importance of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine on parents' vaccine hesitancy. Results revealed that compared to a more serious message, a satirical message reduced reactance and led to greater perceptions of measles severity, which reduced vaccine hesitancy. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Bedtime Stories that Work: The Effect of Protagonist Liking on Narrative Persuasion.

The experiment described in this article draws on affective disposition theory to clarify how protagonist likeability influences participants' sleep hygiene-related self-efficacy and outcome expectations immediately after media exposure and 3 days later. Results indicate that protagonist likeability is an important factor in narrative persuasion. Protagonist likeability did not directly affect participants' sleep hygiene-related self-efficacy immediately postexposure, but it did influence self-efficacy 3 days later. The dislikeable protagonist influenced self-efficacy more than the likeable protagonist. Further, protagonist likeability did not directly affect outcome expectations either immediately postexposure or 3 days later. However, mediation analyses demonstrated that protagonist likeability indirectly influenced both self-efficacy and outcome expectations via perceived liking of the protagonist immediately after exposure and 3 days later. Implications of these findings are further discussed.