Narrative Communication as a Strategy to Improve Diet and Activity in Low-Income Families: The Use of Role Model Stories.

Background:Narrative communication is gaining attention in the health education literature. In this article, we evaluate the acceptability and psychosocial impact of a book of role model stories presenting low-income women's success stories in changing diet and physical activity.Methods:Free copies of theBe Wellbook were distributed through organizations, and recipients were asked to fill out a paper or online questionnaire on completion of the book. Of the 317 recipients who returned valid questionnaires, 62.5% indicated that they had read at least one story in the book. Regression models were run to examine the strength of change in psychosocial and cognitive measures by degree of exposure; that is, number of stories read.Results:Overall, exposed respondents reported significantly greater self-efficacy and slightly greater knowledge and intent to change than unexposed respondents. Among exposed respondents, reported knowledge and intent to change behaviors varied directly with number of stories read.Discussion:The role model stories presented in theBe Wellbook were acceptable to the participants and successful in increasing readiness for behavior change.Translation to Health Education Practice:A narrative communication approach presented as a book of role model stories can bring about positive change in lifestyle behaviors and associated cognitions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]