The purpose of this study was to examine familial influence on adolescents' self-efficiency and intentions to commit to cancer-risk reducing behaviors (breast and testicular self-exams, reducing fat intake, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and exercising regularly). Specifically, the relationship between family commitment to cancer-risk reducing behaviors and adolescents' self-efficacy and intentions to commit to these behaviors as mediated by adolescents' perceptions of family importance of cancer-risk reducing behaviors were examined. The current study also examined whether there are ethnic differences in family commitment to cancer-risk reducing behaviors, adolescents' perceptions of family importance of cancer-risk reducing behaviors, and adolescents' self-efficacy and intentions to commit to these behaviors. Data for this study were collected as part of data collected for A Bridge to Better Health (BRIDGE) (1 R01 CA102760-01A1 - P.I. S Danish), a life skills program that was created to promote cancer-risk reduction among adolescents. Participants were 1,509 ninth grade students who were recruited from health and physical education classes from 6 high schools in Chesterfield County, VA. The results of this study provided support for perceptions of family importance of cancer-risk reducing behaviors as a mediator between family commitment to cancer-risk reducing behaviors and adolescents' self-efficacy and intentions to commit to these behaviors. The results of this study also provided support for ethnic differences in levels of family commitment to, family importance of, and self-efficacy and intentions to commit to cancer-risk reducing behaviors. Implications for future research on familial influences on adolescents' health behaviors are discussed, as well as interventions aimed to promote cancer-risk reduction among adolescents.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:vcu.edu/oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd_retro-1042 |
| Date | 01 January 2006 |
| Creators | Alleyne, Renee Antoinette |
| Publisher | VCU Scholars Compass |
| Source Sets | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Retrospective ETD Collection |
| Rights | © The Author |
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