Rosenthal Erica L, de Castro Buffington Sandra, Cole Galen
Hollywood, Health & Society, University of Southern California, Beverly Hills, CA, USA.
† StoryAction, Pacific Palisades, CA, USA.
J Commun Healthc. 2018;11(2):140-150. doi: 10.1080/17538068.2018.1438766. Epub 2018 Feb 15.
The topic of breast cancer genetics entered the public discourse following Angelina Jolie's 2013 announcement that she carries the BRCA1 mutation and underwent a prophylactic double mastectomy to reduce her breast cancer risk. A year prior to Jolie's announcement, the teen drama ran an eight-episode story arc on the BRCA gene mutations. This study focuses on an evaluation of the impact of this particular media text within the broader context of research on the persuasive effects of entertainment narratives (i.e. entertainment education).
The evaluation consisted of two complementary studies of adult women: a pre-test/post-test study using a panel sample of regular television viewers who were directed to watch a particular episode (Study 1), and a cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of frequent viewers (Study 2).
In both studies, storyline exposure was associated with increased knowledge (familiarity with the BRCA gene, knowledge about mastectomy). Study 1 additionally saw evidence of increased fears regarding the consequences of the BRCA gene and intentions to talk to a doctor. In Study 2, the number of episodes viewed was positively related to both knowledge and behavior (finding out about one's family history of breast cancer).
These findings suggest that despite unprecedented changes in the ways audiences engage with and consume entertainment media, television narratives remain a powerful method of educating viewers about health risks and inspiring them to take action.
2013年，安吉丽娜·朱莉宣布自己携带BRCA1基因突变，并接受了预防性双侧乳房切除术以降低患乳腺癌的风险，此后乳腺癌遗传学话题进入了公众讨论。在朱莉宣布此事的前一年，一部青少年电视剧围绕BRCA基因突变展开了一个八集的故事线。本研究重点评估了这一特定媒体文本在关于娱乐叙事（即娱乐教育）说服效果的更广泛研究背景下的影响。
该评估包括两项针对成年女性的互补性研究：一项前后测研究，使用一组定期观看电视的观众作为样本，引导他们观看特定一集（研究1）；另一项横断面研究，使用一组经常观看电视的观众作为便利样本（研究2）。
在两项研究中，接触故事情节都与知识增加（对BRCA基因的熟悉程度、对乳房切除术的了解）相关。研究1还发现，对BRCA基因后果的恐惧增加以及与医生交谈的意愿增强。在研究2中，观看的集数与知识和行为（了解自己的乳腺癌家族史）均呈正相关。
这些发现表明，尽管观众接触和消费娱乐媒体的方式发生了前所未有的变化，但电视叙事仍然是一种强大的方式，可以教育观众了解健康风险并激励他们采取行动。
