Concern as motivation for protection: An investigation of mothers' concern about daughters' breast cancer risk

Lindsay Neuberger, Kami J. Silk, Doshik Yun, Nicholas David Bowman, Jennifer Anderson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The present study surveyed mothers with daughters (N=386) to investigate how mothers' concern about their daughters breast cancer risk influenced intentions to engage in preventive behaviors. Using protection motivation theory as a framework, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and level of concern were posited to influence protective behavioral intention in distinct ways. Results from regression analyses indicate that self-efficacy, response efficacy, and mothers' concern are significant predictors of intentions to engage in preventive behaviors with daughters. In addition, a content analysis of mothers' open-ended reasons for their concern about their daughters breast cancer risk yield a list of specific concerns and trends that vary by concern level and individual comment valence. The authors discuss implications for incorporating mothers concerns into breast cancer prevention messages as a novel strategy for campaign designers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1055-1071
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Health Communication
Volume16
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Communication
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Library and Information Sciences

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