Experimental pretesting of message framing to motivate caregiver self-care among parents of children with eating disorders

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of message framing strategies and approach avoidance trait moderators on health communication intervention messages aimed at encouraging adaptive coping among parents of those children with eating disorders (PCEDs). Parents of children with eating disorders (N = 108) were randomly assigned in a three-condition (gain frame, loss frame, and control) online message pretesting experiment. Outcome measures included decisional balance (Transtheoretical Model) and behavioral intentions. Gain frames were more beneficial in promoting adaptive behaviors among PCEDs, as loss frames were often harmful. Findings are qualified by approach/avoidance moderator interactions. Formative research benefits from incorporating experimental pretesting methods. Interventions using framed messages should consider relevant personality traits that serve as moderators to behavior adoption.