Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6150-2501
Date Available
7-15-2027
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College
Communication and Information
Department/School/Program
Communication
Faculty
Nicky Lewis
Faculty
Renee Kaufmann
Abstract
Background: Message sensations are commonly used to capture attention, but their impact on learning remains underexplored.
Objective: This dissertation (1) proposes Dual-System Processing of Mediated Messages (DPMM) to explain how message sensations influence memory through affective and cognitive routes, and (2) tests its application in a health education context.
Methods: A multi-phase study used multimedia naloxone educational materials. Phase 1 (Spring 2024) involved expert panel meetings to inform video and survey development. Phase 2 (Summer 2024) was a nationwide online pilot (n = 189) with U.S. college students to refine content and select a death-related image. Phase 3 (Fall 2024) was an in-person experiment (n = 603) testing the effects of death imagery, sound effects, and animation on memory and knowledge improvement.
Results: Four findings guided by the DPMM emerged. (1) Death imagery and sound effects increased message sensation value. (2) Matching message sensation value with the need for activation enhanced encoding and retrieval. (3) The need for cognition moderated the cognitive demand–memory association, but contrary to predictions. (4) Memory retrieval improved naloxone knowledge.
Conclusions: The DPMM offers insights into effective health communication strategies, particularly in opioid overdose prevention and broader science communication efforts.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.267
Recommended Citation
Chen, Huaiyu, "Optimizing health knowledge acquisition: an experimental study of naloxone messaging, memory, and knowledge improvement" (2025). Theses and Dissertations--Communication. 138.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/comm_etds/138
Included in
Broadcast and Video Studies Commons, Chemicals and Drugs Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Health and Physical Education Commons, Health Communication Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Higher Education Commons, Mass Communication Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Science and Technology Studies Commons, Theory and Philosophy Commons
