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Defense Date

2006

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Micah L. McCreary

Second Advisor

Dr. Steven J. Danish

Abstract

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.

Comments

Part of Retrospective ETD Collection, restricted to VCU only.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

June 2008

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