Math Anxiety and Exposure to Statistics in Messages About Genetically Modified Foods: Effects of Numeracy, Math Self-Efficacy, and Form of Presentation

• Published in: Journal of health communication Vol. 19; no. 7; pp. 838 - 852
• Main Authors: Silk, Kami J., Parrott, Roxanne L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01.07.2014; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anxiety; Anxiety - psychology; Communication; Comprehension; Effects; Evaluation; Female; Food, Genetically Modified; Genetically altered foods; Genetically modified organisms; Health Communication - methods; Health technology assessment; Humans; Intention; Male; Mathematics; Middle Aged; Risk; Self Efficacy; Statistics; Statistics as Topic; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1081-0730; 1087-0415
• DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2013.837549

Health risks are often communicated to the lay public in statistical formats even though low math skills, or innumeracy, have been found to be prevalent among lay individuals. Although numeracy has been a topic of much research investigation, the role of math self-efficacy and math anxiety on health and risk communication processing has received scant attention from health communication researchers. To advance theoretical and applied understanding regarding health message processing, the authors consider the role of math anxiety, including the effects of math self-efficacy, numeracy, and form of presenting statistics on math anxiety, and the potential effects for comprehension, yielding, and behavioral intentions. The authors also examine math anxiety in a health risk context through an evaluation of the effects of exposure to a message about genetically modified foods on levels of math anxiety. Participants (N = 323) were randomly assigned to read a message that varied the presentation of statistical evidence about potential risks associated with genetically modified foods. Findings reveal that exposure increased levels of math anxiety, with increases in math anxiety limiting yielding. Moreover, math anxiety impaired comprehension but was mediated by perceivers' math confidence and skills. Last, math anxiety facilitated behavioral intentions. Participants who received a text-based message with percentages were more likely to yield than participants who received either a bar graph with percentages or a combined form. Implications are discussed as they relate to math competence and its role in processing health and risk messages.