Title

Concern as Motivation for Protection: An Investigation of Mothers' Concern About Daughters' Breast Cancer Risk

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2011

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.

Publication Title

Journal of Health Communication

Volume

16

Issue

10

First Page

1055

Last Page

1071

DOI of Published Version

10.1080/10810730.2011.571339

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

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