Theorizing supportive messaging for alcohol-related with a test of the cognitive-emotional theory of esteem support messages
| Author(s) | Sweeney, Dan | |
| Date Accessioned | 2025-05-27T18:19:38Z | |
| Date Available | 2025-05-27T18:19:38Z | |
| Publication Date | 2025 | |
| SWORD Update | 2025-05-13T04:02:49Z | |
| Abstract | Social support helps students to cope with the harmful effects of regrettable alcohol-related consequences. Prior work on the Cognitive-Emotional Theory of Esteem Support Messages (CETESM) shows how messages provided to those facing esteem-threatening circumstances vary. The CETESM posits that messages differ in their content-focus (i.e. emotion- vs. problem-focused) and linguistic style (i.e. assertive vs. inductive). This study uses the CETESM to test a between-subjects factorial design where message content-focus and style are simultaneously varied to see which message features are strongest predictors of state self-esteem improvements, perceived behavioral control, and intentions to control drinking. The findings of the study indicate that emotion-focused (EF) messages are significantly more effective at eliciting state self-esteem improvements than problem-focused (PF) messages which are no more effective than messages with no EF/PF-content. Implications for theoretical development and the application of the findings are discussed. ☐ Keywords: self-esteem, social support, regret, messages. | |
| Advisor | Crowley, John P. | |
| Degree | M.A. | |
| Department | University of Delaware, Department of Communication | |
| Unique Identifier | 1524027736 | |
| URL | https://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/36214 | |
| Language | en | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | |
| URI | https://www.proquest.com/pqdtlocal1006271/dissertations-theses/theorizing-supportive-messaging-alcohol-related/docview/3203185756/sem-2?accountid=10457 | |
| Keywords | Messages | |
| Keywords | Regret | |
| Keywords | Self-esteem | |
| Keywords | Social support | |
| Keywords | Cognitive-Emotional Theory | |
| Title | Theorizing supportive messaging for alcohol-related with a test of the cognitive-emotional theory of esteem support messages | |
| Type | Thesis |