Encouraging College Males to Perform Testicular Self‐Examination: Evaluation of a Persuasive Message Based on the Revised Theory of Reasoned Action1

This study evaluated the effect of a persuasive message derived from a revised version of the theory of reasoned action on the performance of testicular self‐examination (TSE). Subjects (114 male college students) were randomly assigned to listen to a taped persuasive message challenging unfavorable outcome beliefs (as suggested by the theory of reasoned action), a message on testicular cancer information, or no message. All subjects then completed a questionnaire operationalizing the components of the theory of reasoned action (revised to incorporate self‐efficacy). As predicted, there was a significant relationship between exposure to the persuasive message and self‐reported TSE performance (χ 2 (2) = 15.66, p .0001). Sixty‐three (71.23%) of the subjects contacted at a 4‐week follow‐up reported performing the exam. Of those, 44.23% had heard the theory‐based message, 36.54% had heard the informational message, and 19.23% had not been exposed to a message. A path analysis of the relationships among components of the theoretical model provided partial support for the hypothesized causal pathways between message exposure and TSE intention and behavior.