Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications
Language
English
Publication Date
7-1-2025
Journal
Communication Research
DOI
10.1177/00936502231166091
PMID
40575461
PMCID
PMC12192482
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
7-1-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Author MSS
Abstract
Research has supported the effectiveness of narratives for promoting health behavior, but different narrative presentation formats (serial vs. episodic) have seldom been compared. Suspense theories suggest that serial narratives, which do not provide a full resolution at the end of an episode, may create higher motivation for continued engagement with a story. Forty-four 8 to 12-year-old children were randomly assigned to watch an animation series designed for an existing active video game in which the plot was delivered either continuously across multiple episodes (serial) or in multiple yet relatively independent self-contained episodes (episodic). Controlling for social desirability, children who watched the serial narrative had significantly more moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and step counts while the episodic group's gameplay duration decreased, especially during later visits. There was no difference in self-reported narrative immersion or physical activity intention. Serial narratives can result in more time spent in MVPA behaviors than episodic narratives.
Keywords
narrative, serial, episodic, physical activity, children, active video game
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Lu, Amy Shirong; Green, Melanie C; Sousa, Caio Victor; et al., "To Pause With a Cliffhanger or a Temporary Closure? The Differential Impact of Serial Versus Episodic Narratives on Children's Physical Activity Behaviors" (2025). Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications. 268.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/staff_pub/268
Included in
Biochemical Phenomena, Metabolism, and Nutrition Commons, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Commons, Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Commons, Nutrition Commons