Research Publication Roundup: May 2017

A vibrant and collaborative interdisciplinary research culture at the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media creates new knowledge, advances scholarship and helps reinvent media. Below is a list of recently published or presented scholarship by Hussman School faculty and students.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Mackert, M., Guadagno, M., Lazard, A., Donovan, E., Rochlen, A., Garcia, A., & Damásio, M. (2016). Engaging Men in Prenatal Health Promotion: A Pilot Evaluation of Targeted e-Health Content. American Journal of Men’s Health. 11 (3), pp. 719-725. DOI: 10.1177/1557988316679562.
Traditional maternal-child health promotion tends to focus exclusively on women, leaving men out of programs that can affect family health. Scholars advocate including men in prenatal health to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. This study explored the use of a targeted e-health application to introduce men to prenatal health education. Results indicate men feel favorable to this type of intervention.

Lazard, A., Wilcox, G., Tuttle, H., Glowacki, E., & Pikowski, J. Public Reactions to E-cigarette Regulations on Twitter: A Text Mining Analysis. Tobacco Control. Published Online First: 24 March 2017. DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2016-053295.
In May 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said e-cigarettes were within its regulatory authority as a tobacco product. The authors analyzed information shared on Twitter for insights into initial public reactions. Analysis focused on initial reactions to whether the regulations would benefit or harm public health, how the regulations would impact the emerging e-cigarette market, and efforts to share the news. Reactions to this FDA’s announcement were often negative or mixed. Public health advocates should consider using social media outlets to better communicate the policy’s intentions, reach and potential impact for public good to create a more balanced conversation.

Parrott, S., Dillman Carpentier, F.R., & Northup, C.T. A Test of Interactive Narrative as a Tool Against Prejudice. Howard Journal of Communications. Published Online First: 07 April 2017. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10646175.2017.1300965.
This study tested exposure effects of an interactive narrative which caused audience members to adopt the perspective of an immigrant illegally crossing into the United States from Mexico. Results suggested that exposure engendered positive affect toward Mexicans in the U.S., which predicted support for social services that would benefit Mexican immigrants. Participants' enjoyment also positively predicted affect and support for social services benefiting Mexican immigrants. Results suggest interactive narratives may help reduce prejudice toward marginalized social groups.