Perceived Realism and Multidimensional Transportation in Narrative Engagement: Impact on Reactance and Persuasion

This study investigates the role of perceived realism in enhancing narrative persuasion, particularly in health communication. Expanding the transportation into a multidimensional construct, the research examines how perceived realism influence emotional engagement and attentional focus—key dimensions of transportation. A between-subjects experiment was conducted with 244 college students from Hong Kong and mainland China, focusing on their responses to video narrative PSAs aimed at depression prevention. The findings reveal that realistic narratives significantly enhance emotional engagement, thereby increasing transportation and reducing reactance. Although maintaining attentional focus is challenging, it indirectly promotes positive attitudes and intentions, underscoring the importance of narrative comprehension. By linking specific textual elements to multidimensional transportation, this study enhances the explanatory power of narrative theory and provides insights for developing effective health communication strategies. The study concludes with implications and recommendations for future research.