Jamie A Mitchell1, Mark Manning2, Deirdre Shires3, Robert A Chapman4, Janice Burnett5. 1. School of Social Work and Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA jamie.mitchell@wayne.edu. 2. Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. 3. School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. 4. Division Head, Hematology/Oncology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA. 5. Josephine Ford Cancer Center, Detroit, MI, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Evidence suggests that minority groups are more likely to exhibit fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention (FBCP), which are defined as confusion, pessimism, and helplessness about one's ability to prevent cancer. This study examines the socioeconomic and psychosocial predictors of FBCP among older African American men (AAM). METHODS: AAM (N = 1,666) enrolled in Medicare and participating in a longitudinal study on patient navigation were surveyed. Measures included three FBCP constructs, namely demographic items and physical and mental health variables. Binary logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: The average participant was 73.6 years old; 76.5% felt helpless, 44.2% were confused, and 40.7% were pessimistic about the ability to prevent cancer. As education increased, so did all three FBCP. Being downhearted was predictive of confused and helpless beliefs. DISCUSSION: It is critical for health practitioners to understand how psychosocial and economic challenges influence beliefs that may impede cancer prevention efforts for older AAM.
OBJECTIVES: Evidence suggests that minority groups are more likely to exhibit fatalistic beliefs about cancer prevention (FBCP), which are defined as confusion, pessimism, and helplessness about one's ability to prevent cancer. This study examines the socioeconomic and psychosocial predictors of FBCP among older African American men (AAM). METHODS: AAM (N = 1,666) enrolled in Medicare and participating in a longitudinal study on patient navigation were surveyed. Measures included three FBCP constructs, namely demographic items and physical and mental health variables. Binary logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: The average participant was 73.6 years old; 76.5% felt helpless, 44.2% were confused, and 40.7% were pessimistic about the ability to prevent cancer. As education increased, so did all three FBCP. Being downhearted was predictive of confused and helpless beliefs. DISCUSSION: It is critical for health practitioners to understand how psychosocial and economic challenges influence beliefs that may impede cancer prevention efforts for older AAM.
Authors: Kyaien O Conner; Brenda Lee; Vanessa Mayers; Deborah Robinson; Charles F Reynolds; Steve Albert; Charlotte Brown Journal: J Aging Stud Date: 2010-12-01
Authors: David E Nelson; Gary L Kreps; Bradford W Hesse; Robert T Croyle; Gordon Willis; Neeraj K Arora; Barbara K Rimer; K V Viswanath; Neil Weinstein; Sara Alden Journal: J Health Commun Date: 2004 Sep-Oct
Authors: Heather Orom; Marc T Kiviniemi; Willie Underwood; Levi Ross; Vickie L Shavers Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2010-02-16 Impact factor: 4.254
Authors: Gabriela Chojnacka-Szawłowska; Ryszard Kościelak; Karol Karasiewicz; Mikołaj Majkowicz; Joanna Kozaka Journal: Psychol Health Date: 2012-08-02
Authors: Sonia A Cunningham; Robert Yu; Tina Shih; Sharon Giordano; Lorna H McNeill; Ruth Rechis; Susan K Peterson; Paul Cinciripini; Lewis Foxhall; Ernest Hawk; Sanjay Shete Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2019-01-30 Impact factor: 4.254