I hope to protect myself from the threat: The impact of self-threat on prevention-versus promotion-focused hope

Abstract

This research explored the impact of self-threat on two types of hope, distinguished by regulatory focus: prevention hope versus promotion hope. Two experimental studies were conducted. The results of Study 1 indicated that individuals are more likely to focus on prevention hope when their self-view is threatened. Additionally, the findings in Study 1 were extended in the next experiment using an advertising context. Study 2 revealed that prevention hope-focused advertising messages were more persuasive (namely, advertising trust and the attitude toward both advertising and the brand) and inspired consumers' behavioral intention (or purchase intention) more than promotion hope-focused advertising messages when self-threat occurred. The implications of the study's findings and suggestions for future research are also discussed.