Health Communication
Effects of Training Communicators in a Rural Area of Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20318/recs.2025.9025Keywords:
health communication, protection motivation theory, mental healthAbstract
Introduction: Developing competencies for mental health care communication in media is fundamental, and
Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) provides a model to guide the design of communicative interventions.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of training to improve communicators’ competencies in designing
effective strategies for mental health care in Colombian rural populations. Methodology: A convergent mixedmethods study was conducted, integrating quantitative data (pre- and post-intervention questionnaires) and qualitative data (participant observation and follow-up focus group). Results: A statistically significant increase in the evaluated competencies was evidenced (from 4.6 to 7.5 points, p<0.001). The workshop enabled participants to experience the effectiveness of balancing threat and coping appraisals and to propose strategies for applying these guidelines in strategy design. The focus group confirmed that the practical-collaborative approach and adult education techniques were crucial for facilitating meaningful appropriation, although theoretical concept recall was limited. Conclusion: The training proved to be an effective strategy for improving competencies in designing communicative interventions to promote the adoption of mental health care behaviors, balancing threat appraisal with coping resources.
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