Date of Award

Spring 5-15-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

PhD Health Sciences

Department

Health and Medical Sciences

Advisor

Deborah DeLuca, MS, JD

Committee Member

Gennevieve Pinto-Zipp, PT, EdD, FNAP

Committee Member

Ramzi Dagher, MD

Keywords

Direct to Consumer Advertising, Arthritis Drug Advertising, Drug Advertising Intention Questionnaire, Integrated Behavior Model

Abstract

Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Advertising (DTCPA) has rapidly expanded, particularly via social media, but research on its influence on individual decisions regarding prescribed medications remains limited. This gap is notable among chronic disease patients, such as those with arthritis, which affected over 58.5 million U.S. adults as of 2015 and is projected to rise to 78.4 million by 2040 (Barbour et al., 2017; Hootman et al., 2016). Social media discussions show significant activity following television ads for arthritis drugs (Curtis et al., 2017). However, few studies explore how DTCPA impacts patient intentions to take advertised arthritis medications. This study employed a novel questionnaire based on the Integrated Behavior Model (Allem, 2021) to examine attitudes, perceived norms, and personal agency regarding arthritis drug advertisements. Using the Delphi Panel Method (Hasson et al., 2000) for validation, the tool included multiple-choice, Likert scale, and open-ended questions. A general population survey was conducted via social media platforms like Facebook™ and LinkedIn® to gather participant responses. Findings revealed statistically significant relationships between attitudes, perceived norms, and personal agency toward behavioral intent. Positive perceptions led to positive intent to take arthritis medications, while negative perceptions resulted in less intent, though not statistically significant. The survey tool demonstrated good reliability, with a Cronbach’s Alpha of α = .839 (George & Mallery, 2003). This practical and adaptable tool highlighted the need for more patient-centered approaches to DTCPA, especially as arthritis diagnoses and advertising budgets continue to rise, influencing consumer behavior and public health strategies.

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