A Further Extension of the Extended Parallel Process Model (E-EPPM)

Implications of Cognitive Appraisal Theory of Emotion and Dispositional Coping Style

Bibliographic Data

ID23318031
AuthorsJiyeon So (0000-0003-2270-4490, University of California, corresponding author)
Year2013
Volume28
Issue1
Pages72-83
Publication date2013-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Communication (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1041-0236 • E-ISSN: 1532-7027
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10410236.2012.708633
PMID23330860
OpenAlexW1995233576
LanguageEN
Citations received87
References cited47

For two decades, the extended parallel process model (EPPM; Witte, 1992 Witte, K. 1992. Putting the fear back into fear appeals: The extended parallel process model. Communication Monographs, 59: 330–349. [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) has been one of the most widely used theoretical frameworks in health risk communication. The model has gained much popularity because it recognizes that, ironically, preceding fear appeal models do not incorporate the concept of fear as a legitimate and central part of them. As a remedy to this situation, the EPPM aims at “putting the fear back into fear appeals” (Witte, 1992 Witte, K. 1992. Putting the fear back into fear appeals: The extended parallel process model. Communication Monographs, 59: 330–349. [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], p. 330). Despite this attempt, however, this article argues that the EPPM still does not fully capture the essence of fear as an emotion. Specifically, drawing upon Lazarus's (1991 Lazarus, R. S. 1991. Emotion and adaptation, New York, NY: Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar]) cognitive appraisal theory of emotion and the concept of dispositional coping style (Miller, 1995 Miller, S. M. 1995. Monitoring versus blunting styles of coping influence the information patients want and need about cancer: Implications for cancer screening and management. Cancer, 76: 167–177. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), this article seeks to further extend the EPPM. The revised EPPM incorporates a more comprehensive perspective on risk perceptions as a construct involving both cognitive and affective aspects (i.e., fear and anxiety) and integrates the concept of monitoring and blunting coping style as a moderator of further information seeking regarding a given risk topic.

Anxiety · Appraisal theory · Cognition · Cognitive appraisal · Cognitive psychology · Coping (psychology) · Moderation · Perception · Psychotherapist · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics · Psychology · Risk Perception and Management · Social Psychology