A Tale of Two Stories: An Exploration of Identification, Message Recall, and Narrative Preferences Among Low-Income, Mexican American Women

• Published in: Health communication Vol. 32; no. 11; pp. 1409 - 1421
• Main Authors: Davis, Rachel E., Dal Cin, Sonya, Cole, Suzanne M., Reyes, Ligia I., McKenney-Shubert, Shannon J., Fleischer, Nancy L., Densen, Lynna Chung, Peterson, Karen E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 02.11.2017; Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Adult; Arousal; Behavior change; Child, Preschool; Childhood obesity; Children; Cues; Cultural Competency; Emotions; Enactment; Female; Health behavior; Health disparities; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Promotion; Hispanic Americans; Humans; Identification; Latin American cultural groups; Mental Recall; Mexican Americans; Mexican Americans - psychology; Mothers; Mothers - psychology; Narration; Narratives; Pediatric Obesity - prevention & control; Personal characteristics; Poverty; Prevention programs; Recall; Womens health
• ISSN: 1041-0236; 1532-7027
• DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2016.1228029

Additional research is needed to guide the design of narratives for use in practice-oriented, naturalistic settings to maximize health behavior change, particularly among populations affected by health disparities. This mixed-methods study explored the influence of cultural tailoring and emotional arousal on identification and message recall in narratives promoting childhood obesity prevention among 40 Mexican American mothers. Participants were also asked about narrative exposure, narrative preferences, and beliefs about the purpose of a story. Participants were randomly assigned to listen to two stories: (a) a story tailored on noncultural or cultural variables, and (b) a story designed to enhance or minimize emotional arousal. Participants reported high engagement and identification with all stories. Participants generally envisioned protagonists as Latina, despite limited cues, and identified with protagonists in four ways: sharing personal characteristics; having similar thoughts and feelings; engaging in similar actions; and experiencing similar situations. Mothers were most interested in narratives that helped them to improve their lives. Findings from this study yield several hypotheses for consideration in future study, including ways in which story setting and message enactment may moderate message recall.