The Influence of Self-efficacy in Medical Drama Television Programming on Behaviors and Emotions that Promote Cervical Cancer Prevention

Objectives: We explored the influences of medical drama viewing on health behaviors and emotions, and examined the role of self-efficacy in medical drama programming. Methods: A single-factor, 2-condition experimental design that manipulated self-efficacy levels was adopted. A total of 131 female undergraduate students who were likely involved with the issues of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer participated in this experiment. Results: In line with social cognitive theory, the results indicated that participants in the high self-efficacy condition showed greater behavioral intention to receive a Pap smear (F (1, 126) = 4.38, p < .05, partial η² = .03) and the HPV vaccine (F (1, 35) = 4.82, p < .05, partial η² = .12) and higher levels of hope (F (1, 126) = 12.22, p < .01, partial η² = .09) than participants in the low self-efficacy condition. In addition, hope mediated the relationship between self-efficacy condition and behavioral intention to receive a Pap smear (B = .16, SE = .08, 95% CI = [.04, .38]). Conclusions: Findings suggest that inclusion of self-efficacy information in entertainment programming may lead to beneficial health outcomes. Medical drama programming may act as an effective outlet to affect health behaviors and emotions of the larger public, ultimately enhancing public health.