2015 journal article

Celebrity Influence and Identification: A Test of the Angelina Effect

JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION, 21(3), 318–326.

By: K. Kosenko n, A. Binder n & R. Hurley n

MeSH headings : Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Breast Neoplasms / genetics; Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control; Famous Persons; Female; Genes, BRCA1; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Testing / statistics & numerical data; Heterozygote; Humans; Intention; Mastectomy; Middle Aged; Models, Psychological; Prophylactic Surgical Procedures; Social Identification; Young Adult
TL;DR: A survey of 356 adults immediately after Angelina Jolie's announcement that she is a BRCA1 carrier and has had a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy provided preliminary evidence of an Angelina effect. (via Semantic Scholar)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

Angelina Jolie's announcement that she is a BRCA1 carrier and has had a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy was met with widespread support as well as speculation about its possible impact on the public. These speculations were the subject of a Time magazine cover story titled “The Angelina Effect” (Kluger et al., 2013). Although there is anecdotal evidence to support this hypothesized Angelina effect, empirical tests are lacking. To explore possible links between Angelina's announcement and public health, we surveyed 356 adults immediately after the announcement. Guided by a model of celebrity influence, the survey assessed participants’ demographics and health history, identification and parasocial interaction with Jolie, and genetic testing intentions. Results supported the model's predictions and provided preliminary evidence of an Angelina effect.