Date of Award

1-1-2023

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology

Content Description

1 online resource (iii, 88 pages) : illustrations

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Hung-Bin Sheu

Committee Members

Frank R. Dillon, Alex L. Pieterse

Keywords

Cancer, Colonoscopy, Colorectal, Health Behavior, Masculinity, Men, Health behavior

Subject Categories

Counseling Psychology

Abstract

Masculinity has been theorized to affect engagement in health behaviors and may be helpful in predicting men’s colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intentions. Christy and colleagues’ (2014) proposed a model in which masculinity and social support predict men’s CRC screening intentions by way of engagement in health behaviors, cancer fear, and cancer-related stigma. This study examined how the theory might differ for males based on previous colonoscopy status. 422 men above the age of 45 were recruited using an online survey. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to test a modified version of Christy and colleagues’ (2014) theory. A modified measurement model and structural model offered adequate fit or better in all groups. While configural invariance was observed, metric invariance was not observed; suggesting, therefore, that between group differences may be occurring at the measurement level. The models for both the previous colonoscopy group and the no previous colonoscopy group are presented and discussed descriptively but statistical comparisons could not be made due to a lack of metric invariance. The path from cancer stigma to CRC screening intent and the correlation between perceived social support and masculinity – breadwinners were significant in the previous colonoscopy group but not the no previous colonoscopy group. The paths from perceived social support to cancer related stigma and masculinity- breadwinners to CRC screening intent were significant in the no previous colonoscopy group but not the previous colonoscopy group. Clinical implications for psychologists and medical professionals are discussed.

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