Celebrity Influence and Identification: A Test of the Angelina Effect

Angelina Jolie's announcement that she is a BRCA1 carrier and has had a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy was met with widespread support as well as speculation about its possible impact on the public. These speculations were the subject of a Time magazine cover story titled "The Angelina...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of health communication 2016-03, Vol.21 (3), p.318-326
Main Authors: Kosenko, Kami A., Binder, Andrew R., Hurley, Ryan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Breast cancer
Breast Neoplasms - genetics
Breast Neoplasms - prevention & control
Celebrities
Famous Persons
Female
Genes, BRCA1
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Genetic testing
Genetic Testing - utilization
Health education
Health technology assessment
Heterozygote
Humans
Intention
Jolie, Angelina
Mastectomy
Middle Aged
Models, Psychological
Prophylactic Surgical Procedures
Public health
Social Identification
Young Adult
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Summary:Angelina Jolie's announcement that she is a BRCA1 carrier and has had a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy was met with widespread support as well as speculation about its possible impact on the public. These speculations were the subject of a Time magazine cover story titled "The Angelina Effect" (Kluger et al., 2013 ). Although there is anecdotal evidence to support this hypothesized Angelina effect, empirical tests are lacking. To explore possible links between Angelina's announcement and public health, we surveyed 356 adults immediately after the announcement. Guided by a model of celebrity influence, the survey assessed participants' demographics and health history, identification and parasocial interaction with Jolie, and genetic testing intentions. Results supported the model's predictions and provided preliminary evidence of an Angelina effect.
ISSN:1081-0730
1087-0415
DOI:10.1080/10810730.2015.1064498