Impact of Narratives on Persuasion in Health Communication: A Meta-Analysis

TLDR

This meta‑analysis examined how narratives influence persuasion in health communication. The authors searched the literature and included 25 studies (9,330 participants) measuring narrative effects on attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. Overall, narratives produced a small persuasive effect (r = .063), with audio/video and detection/prevention messages showing significant impacts, while print and cessation messages did not.

Abstract

This meta-analysis assessed the persuasive effects of narratives in health communication. A search of the literature identified 25 studies (N = 9,330) that examined the effects of narratives on persuasion as measured by changes in attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. Analyses of the effect sizes indicated that, overall, narratives had a small impact on persuasion (r = .063, p < .01). Narratives delivered via audio and video produced significant effects; print-based narratives, however, did not exhibit a significant impact. Further, not all health issues were equally affected by narrative messages aiming at intervention. Those narratives that advocated detection and prevention behaviors led to significant effects, whereas those advocating cessation behaviors did not have significant effects. These findings offer both theoretical and practical implications.