The relationship of health beliefs, health locus of control, and self concept to the practice of breast self-examination in adult women.

This descriptive-correlational study was undertaken in order to determine if there were differences in the health beliefs, health locus of control, and self concept of adult women who practice breast self-examination (BSE) as compared to those women who do not. A sample of 207 women, drawn from a variety of settings, completed the four questionnaires, which were the research instruments. Data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, point biserial correlations, multiple regression, and Pearson product moment correlations. Analysis of the data revealed there were differences between the practicer and nonpracticer groups in terms of health beliefs, health locus of control, and self concept. Specifically, analysis revealed that being a practicer of BSE was correlated with higher levels of health beliefs and higher self-concept levels. practicers tended to be less inclined to have a health locus of control that depended upon a powerful other.