CommunicationMEMONCT07802054
Messages That Motivate: Communicating Alcohol-Related Breast Cancer Risk to Young Adult Women
A study testing Risk Message, Efficacy Message and Industry Deception in people with Communication and Message Perception, run by Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This is an online cross-sectional experimental survey study examining two cancer communication questions: 1) What features of social media messages communicating the breast cancer risks from alcohol consumption will motivate young adult women to drink less? and 2) Do message features differ in their persuasive effects… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Communication, Message Perception, Alcohol
- What is being tested?
- Risk Message, Efficacy Message and Industry Deception
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 900 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Oct 2026to Jul 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 25 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Assigned female at birth
- Age 18-25
- Report drinking alcohol at least once in the past 30 days
- Registered in the United States as a member of the Prolific consumer research platform
- Willing and able to complete procedures in English
Who cannot join
- Assigned male at birth
- Ages <18 or >25
- Do not report drinking alcohol at least once in the past 30 days
- Not registered in the U.S. as a member of the Prolific consumer research platform
- Not willing or not able to complete procedures
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center contact
United States1 site
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbus, Ohio, 43210
Darren Mays, MPH, PhD, 614-366-2953, Darren.Mays@osumc.edu
Darren Mays, MPH, PhD
About this study
This is an online cross-sectional experimental survey study examining two cancer communication questions: 1) What features of social media messages communicating the breast cancer risks from alcohol consumption will motivate young adult women to drink less? and 2) Do message features differ in their persuasive effects based on young adult women's alcohol consumption behavior?
Read the detailed description
This is an online cross-sectional experimental study to examine the effects of features of social media messages in young adult women ages 18-25 who drink alcohol based on valid, self-report outcomes. Within the survey, participants will be randomized to view messages in one of nine conditions in a 3x3 factorial design with baseline alcohol consumption as a within-participants factor to test the effects of social media message features (content, persuasive themes) on participant responses. We will also compare the effects of message features for young women who drink within recommended limits (1 drink/day or less on average) and those who exceed recommended drinking limits.
- Conditions
- Communication, Message Perception, Alcohol, Cancer Prevention, Behavior, Risk
- Being tested
- Risk Message, Efficacy Message, Industry Deception, YAW Susceptibility, Mechanisms
- Keywords
- cancer prevention, cancer control, alcohol
- Medical subject headings
- Communication, Risk-Taking
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Risk MessageBehavioural
Risk message content
Efficacy MessageBehavioural
Efficacy Message Content
Industry DeceptionBehavioural
Messages with information about alcohol industry deception
YAW SusceptibilityBehavioural
Message content with information about why young adult women are susceptible to breast cancer risk from alcohol consumption
MechanismsBehavioural
Message content with information about the mechanism by which alcohol contributes to increased breast cancer risk
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Arm 1: Risk Only + Industry Deception | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Risk Message; Behavioral: Industry Deception |
| Arm 2: Risk Only + YAW Susceptibility | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Risk Message; Behavioral: YAW Susceptibility |
| Arm 3: Risk Only + Mechanisms | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Risk Message; Behavioral: Mechanisms |
| Arm 4: Efficacy Only + Industry Deception | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Efficacy Message; Behavioral: Industry Deception |
| Arm 5: Efficacy Only + YAW Susceptibility | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Efficacy Message; Behavioral: YAW Susceptibility |
| Arm 6: Efficacy Only + Mechanisms | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Efficacy Message; Behavioral: Mechanisms |
| Arm 7: Risk and Efficacy + Industry Deception | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Risk Message; Behavioral: Efficacy Message; Behavioral: Industry Deception |
| Arm 8: Risk and Efficacy + YAW Susceptibility | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Risk Message; Behavioral: Efficacy Message; Behavioral: YAW Susceptibility |
| Arm 9: Risk and Efficacy + Mechanisms | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Risk Message; Behavioral: Efficacy Message; Behavioral: Mechanisms |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Message Perceptions
We will assess message perceptions using a valid, reliable measure with six questions about whether participants thought the messages were worth remembering, grabbed their attention, and were informative, powerful, convincing, and meaningful. Responses are on a five-point Likert scale from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree).
For all message response outcomes, we will sum and average responses to the items to create message-level scores, then compute means across both messages within each condition for a grand mean. Higher values are considered a better outcome.
Measured: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1
Effect Perceptions
We will capture message effects perceptions using the abbreviated effects perceptions scale. Items include questions about how much the messages made them feel discouraged to drink alcohol, concerned about drinking alcohol, and made them feel that drinking alcohol is unpleasant on a scale from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree). For all message response outcomes, we will sum and average responses to the items to create message-level scores, then compute means across both messages within each condition for a grand mean. Higher values are considered a better outcome.
Measured: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1
Emotional Response
We will capture emotional responses to the messages using a valid, four item scale. Items are "This message made me angry; irritated; aggravated; and annoyed" with responses on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (Not likely at all) to 5 (Extremely likely). For all message response outcomes, we will sum and average responses to the items to create message-level scores, then compute means across both messages within each condition for a grand mean. Higher values are considered a better outcome.
Measured: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1
Counter-arguing
We will capture counter-arguing, a measure of whether participants cognitively refute messages, with a valid, three item scale that captures whether participants criticize messages, think of points that go against messages, and are skeptical of the messages. Responses are on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 7 (Very much). For all message response outcomes, we will sum and average responses to the items to create message-level scores, then compute means across both messages within each condition for a grand mean. Lower values are considered a better outcome.
Measured: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1
Behavioral Intentions
Intentions to reduce alcohol consumption in the future will also be assessed with a valid, multi-item scale capturing whether participants will avoid drinking alcohol completely, reduce the number of occasions when they drink alcohol, and reduce the amount of alcohol they consume on drinking occasions with a 1 (Definitely Will Not) to 4 (Definitely Will) response scale. For all message response outcomes, we will sum and average responses to the items to create message-level scores, then compute means across both messages within each condition for a grand mean. Higher values are considered a better outcome.
Measured: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Sep 2026
- Study startOct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completionJul 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for CommunicationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 900 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Darren Mays, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Investigators
- Darren Mays, MPH, PhD, Principal investigator, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07802054
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- OSU-26048
- Other IDs
- R01CA311193-01
- Acronym
- MEMO
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data from self-report measures will be deposited in the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR). ICPSR will make the research data from this project available to the broader social science research community as public-use data files. These files, in which direct and indirect identifiers have been removed to minimize disclosure risk, may be accessed directly through the ICPSR website.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Messages That Motivate: Communicating Alcohol-Related Breast Cancer Risk to Young Adult Women
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07802054
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MEMO / OSU-26048
- Conditions
- Communication, Message Perception, Alcohol, Cancer Prevention, Behavior, Risk
- Keywords
- cancer prevention, cancer control, alcohol
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 900 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Study start
- Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jul 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is an online cross-sectional experimental survey study examining two cancer communication questions: 1) What features of social media messages communicating the breast cancer risks from alcohol consumption will motivate young adult women to drink less? and 2) Do message features differ in their persuasive effects based on young adult women's alcohol consumption behavior?
Detailed description
This is an online cross-sectional experimental study to examine the effects of features of social media messages in young adult women ages 18-25 who drink alcohol based on valid, self-report outcomes. Within the survey, participants will be randomized to view messages in one of nine conditions in a 3x3 factorial design with baseline alcohol consumption as a within-participants factor to test the effects of social media message features (content, persuasive themes) on participant responses. We will also compare the effects of message features for young women who drink within recommended limits (1 drink/day or less on average) and those who exceed recommended drinking limits.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 9
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Arm 1: Risk Only + Industry Deception | Experimental | Behavioral: Risk Message, Behavioral: Industry Deception |
| Arm 2: Risk Only + YAW Susceptibility | Experimental | Behavioral: Risk Message, Behavioral: YAW Susceptibility |
| Arm 3: Risk Only + Mechanisms | Experimental | Behavioral: Risk Message, Behavioral: Mechanisms |
| Arm 4: Efficacy Only + Industry Deception | Experimental | Behavioral: Efficacy Message, Behavioral: Industry Deception |
| Arm 5: Efficacy Only + YAW Susceptibility | Experimental | Behavioral: Efficacy Message, Behavioral: YAW Susceptibility |
| Arm 6: Efficacy Only + Mechanisms | Experimental | Behavioral: Efficacy Message, Behavioral: Mechanisms |
| Arm 7: Risk and Efficacy + Industry Deception | Experimental | Behavioral: Risk Message, Behavioral: Efficacy Message, Behavioral: Industry Deception |
| Arm 8: Risk and Efficacy + YAW Susceptibility | Experimental | Behavioral: Risk Message, Behavioral: Efficacy Message, Behavioral: YAW Susceptibility |
| Arm 9: Risk and Efficacy + Mechanisms | Experimental | Behavioral: Risk Message, Behavioral: Efficacy Message, Behavioral: Mechanisms |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Assigned female at birth
- Age 18-25
- Report drinking alcohol at least once in the past 30 days
- Registered in the United States as a member of the Prolific consumer research platform
- Willing and able to complete procedures in English
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Assigned male at birth
- Ages <18 or >25
- Do not report drinking alcohol at least once in the past 30 days
- Not registered in the U.S. as a member of the Prolific consumer research platform
- Not willing or not able to complete procedures
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Risk MessageRisk message content | Behavioural | Arm 1: Risk Only + Industry Deception, Arm 2: Risk Only + YAW Susceptibility, Arm 3: Risk Only + Mechanisms, Arm 7: Risk and Efficacy + Industry Deception, Arm 8: Risk and Efficacy + YAW Susceptibility, Arm 9: Risk and Efficacy + Mechanisms |
| Efficacy MessageEfficacy Message Content | Behavioural | Arm 4: Efficacy Only + Industry Deception, Arm 5: Efficacy Only + YAW Susceptibility, Arm 6: Efficacy Only + Mechanisms, Arm 7: Risk and Efficacy + Industry Deception, Arm 8: Risk and Efficacy + YAW Susceptibility, Arm 9: Risk and Efficacy + Mechanisms |
| Industry DeceptionMessages with information about alcohol industry deception | Behavioural | Arm 1: Risk Only + Industry Deception, Arm 4: Efficacy Only + Industry Deception, Arm 7: Risk and Efficacy + Industry Deception |
| YAW SusceptibilityMessage content with information about why young adult women are susceptible to breast cancer risk from alcohol consumption | Behavioural | Arm 2: Risk Only + YAW Susceptibility, Arm 5: Efficacy Only + YAW Susceptibility, Arm 8: Risk and Efficacy + YAW Susceptibility |
| MechanismsMessage content with information about the mechanism by which alcohol contributes to increased breast cancer risk | Behavioural | Arm 3: Risk Only + Mechanisms, Arm 6: Efficacy Only + Mechanisms, Arm 9: Risk and Efficacy + Mechanisms |
Primary outcome
Message Perceptions
Time frame: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1
We will assess message perceptions using a valid, reliable measure with six questions about whether participants thought the messages were worth remembering, grabbed their attention, and were informative, powerful, convincing, and meaningful. Responses are on a five-point Likert scale from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree). For all message response outcomes, we will sum and average responses to the items to create message-level scores, then compute means across both messages within each condition for a grand mean. Higher values are considered a better outcome.
Effect Perceptions
Time frame: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1
We will capture message effects perceptions using the abbreviated effects perceptions scale. Items include questions about how much the messages made them feel discouraged to drink alcohol, concerned about drinking alcohol, and made them feel that drinking alcohol is unpleasant on a scale from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 5 (Strongly agree). For all message response outcomes, we will sum and average responses to the items to create message-level scores, then compute means across both messages within each condition for a grand mean. Higher values are considered a better outcome.
Emotional Response
Time frame: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1
We will capture emotional responses to the messages using a valid, four item scale. Items are "This message made me angry; irritated; aggravated; and annoyed" with responses on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (Not likely at all) to 5 (Extremely likely). For all message response outcomes, we will sum and average responses to the items to create message-level scores, then compute means across both messages within each condition for a grand mean. Higher values are considered a better outcome.
Counter-arguing
Time frame: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1
We will capture counter-arguing, a measure of whether participants cognitively refute messages, with a valid, three item scale that captures whether participants criticize messages, think of points that go against messages, and are skeptical of the messages. Responses are on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 7 (Very much). For all message response outcomes, we will sum and average responses to the items to create message-level scores, then compute means across both messages within each condition for a grand mean. Lower values are considered a better outcome.
Behavioral Intentions
Time frame: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1
Intentions to reduce alcohol consumption in the future will also be assessed with a valid, multi-item scale capturing whether participants will avoid drinking alcohol completely, reduce the number of occasions when they drink alcohol, and reduce the amount of alcohol they consume on drinking occasions with a 1 (Definitely Will Not) to 4 (Definitely Will) response scale. For all message response outcomes, we will sum and average responses to the items to create message-level scores, then compute means across both messages within each condition for a grand mean. Higher values are considered a better outcome.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data from self-report measures will be deposited in the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR). ICPSR will make the research data from this project available to the broader social science research community as public-use data files. These files, in which direct and indirect identifiers have been removed to minimize disclosure risk, may be accessed directly through the ICPSR website.
Related trials for Communication
Recruiting
Improving Surgical Communication for Patients in Wisconsin
Surgeons, Surgical Procedure, Unspecified
RecruitingObservational study
Speech and Language Interventions for Italian People With PPA
Primary Progressive Aphasia(PPA)
Recruiting
Evaluating AI for the Translation of KM Resources
Communication Research
Not yet recruiting
Buccal Periosteal Inversion Flap vs Buccal Advancement Flap for Acute Oro-Antral Communication Closure
Acute Oroantral Communication
Active, not recruiting
The Patient and Family Centered I-PASS LISTEN Study: Language, Inclusion, Safety, and Teamwork for Equity Now
Communication
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center contact
Darren Mays, MPH, PhD principal investigator
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Risk Message, Efficacy Message and Industry Deception in people with Communication and Message Perception, run by Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (800-293-5066, OSUCCCClinicaltrials@osumc.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Message Perceptions (time frame: This assessment is administered immediately after participants view study messages on Day 1). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Sep 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 26 Oct 2026.