The moderating effect of autonomy on promotional health messages encouraging healthcare professionals’ to get the influenza vaccine.

Rates of flu vaccination among healthcare professionals often remain lower than recommended guidelines. We tested whether autonomy-supportive communication styles could improve the effectiveness of statements seeking to promote professionals' flu vaccination uptake. A pilot study established that statements presented in an autonomy-supportive communication style (i.e., upholding freedom of choice) posed a significantly lower threat to freedom...