This study extends research on value-expressive communication (Anderson, 2011a) by exploring its relationship to value-relevant involvement (Johnson & Eagly, 1989; Sherif & Hovland, 1963) and certain health behaviors (i.e., moderate drinking, condom use, and dieting). Value-expressive communication is the verbalization of a value-expressive attitude (Katz, 1960) in an interpersonal context. Because value-expressive communication verbalizes a value-expressive attitude, and value-relevant involvement is a psychological state that indicates one holds a value-expressive attitude, this study proposes that value-relevant involvement (VRI) will be positively related to value-expressive communication (VEC) and to behavioral intentions (BI). In addition, this study proposes that value-expressive communication about a health behavior will be related to intentions to enact that behavior. This study further posits that personal values will be related to behavioral intentions and moderate the VRI-BI and VEC-BI relationships. N = 547 college students completed an online survey in one of three conditions (moderate drinking, condom use, or dieting). Study results indicate that hedonism was a negative predictor of moderate drinking intentions and universalism was a positive predictor of condom use intentions; no other values had significant direct effects on intention. Value-relevant involvement had a significant, positive direct effect on value-expressive communication with close friends about all three behaviors; and value-relevant involvement had a significant, positive direct effect on behavioral intentions across all behavioral domains. However, the proposed interaction between value-relevant involvement and values was not significant in any behavioral domain. Attitudes explained significant variance in behavioral intentions across all domains. Finally, value-expressive communication with close friends had a significant direct effect on intentions to drink in moderation (among those who planned to drink). However, the proposed three-way interaction between value-expressive communication, attitudes, and values was not significant in any behavioral domain.This study provides support for the proposed relationship between value-expressive communication and value-relevant involvement. Observing this relationship supports the conceptualization of value-expressive communication as the verbalization of a value-expressive attitude since value-relevant involvement is a psychological state that indicates one holds a value-expressive attitude.
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