How Does Drug and Supplement Marketing Affect a Healthy Lifestyle?

Abstract

This research investigates consumer reactions to the marketing of drugs and supplements and the consequences for a healthy lifestyle. A series of experiments provides evidence that drug marketing undermines intentions to engage in health-protective behaviors (i.e., a boomerang effect). The boomerang arises from two psychological mechanisms: (1) drugs reduce risk perceptions and perceived importance of, and motivation to engage in, complementary health-protective behaviors, and (2) drugs are associated with poor health that reduces self-efficacy and perceived ability to engage in complementary health-protective behaviors. A combined intervention accompanying a drug remedy that targets both motivation and ability mitigates the drug boomerang on a healthy lifestyle.