PhD defense Tine Lewi - Faculty of Applied Economics - Early diagnosis messages for secondary prevention - Date: 13 March 2017

Oct 22, 2026

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This PhD research in health communication investigates how health consumers respond to early diagnosis and disease awareness messages used for secondary prevention. Secondary prevention interrupts disease processes before symptoms appear, while early diagnosis seeks to stop progression. Effectiveness is examined across two distinct application domains—breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease—using different message framing approaches and mediator mechanisms that shape persuasive responses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Reading Time3 min

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Abstract

Research focus and domains

Message framing strategies and mediators

PhD defense Tine Lewi -Faculty of Applied Economics “Early diagnosis messages for secondary prevention: drivers for awareness, engagement and participation application to breast cancer screening and Alzheimer's disease.” Date: 13 March 2017 Venue: Universiteit Antwerpen, Promotiezaal Grauwzusters - Lange Sint-Annastraat 7 - 2000 Antwerp (route: UAntwerpen, Stadscampus) Time: 5:00 PM PhD candidate: Tine Lewi Principal investigator: Prof. dr. Patrick De Pelsmacker Co-principal investigator: Prof. dr. Verolien Cauberghe (Univ. Gent) Short description: PhD defense Tine Lewi-Faculty of Applied Economics Abstract This PhD research in health communication investigates health consumers’ reactions to early diagnosis and disease awareness messages for secondary prevention. Secondary prevention interrupts a disease process before it becomes symptomatic and early diagnosis aims at stopping disease progression. Because awareness messages are often calls to actions for specific target groups, addressing health issues, it is important to understand the effectiveness of these messages. In this dissertation, early diagnosis awareness messages have been studied in two application domains, breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Because these application domains are very different in terms of disease and age groups affected, different message framing strategies are investigated for each of the application domains. In addition to testing a number of message framing strategies (emotional-rational, positive-negative, and type of endorser) in the domain of breast cancer screening, the current dissertation also investigates the effect of personal characteristics on message responses and the role of several mediators (perceived threat, efficacy and anxiety) which could play a role in persuasive communication. For Alzheimer’s disease, argument strength (weak-strong arguments) and image valence (neutral, positive and negative valence) are investigated as framing strategies and message affect and message thoughts are studied as mediators. This dissertation also investigates the use of new applications of social software for secondary prevention. To that end, part of the research focuses on the development of an interactive information portal for breast cancer information. The research brings academia and practice closer together for the benefit of the health consumer, especially in the area of disease prevention and early diagnosis. Individuals are increasingly urged to enhance and maintain good health and avoid health deterioration in case they are affected by a disease. This dissertation contributes to building knowledge in health communication for disease prevention, complementary to extensive existing communication research in the area of disease management.

FAQs

What is the main aim of Tine Lewi’s PhD research?

To investigate health consumers’ reactions to early diagnosis and disease awareness messages for secondary prevention, and to determine what makes these messages effective.

Which two application domains are studied in the dissertation?

Breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, each examined using domain-specific message framing strategies.

What kinds of message framing strategies and mediators are analyzed?

For breast cancer screening, the study tests message framing strategies such as emotional-rational, positive-negative, and endorser type, and examines mediators including perceived threat, efficacy, and anxiety. For Alzheimer’s disease, argument strength and image valence are studied with mediators related to message affect and message thoughts.

Oct 22, 2026

Uploaded by acoobca