Author

Anh B. Nguyen

Date of Award

5-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Predictors of breast and cervical cancer screening among Vietnamese immigrant women. Anh B. Nguyen, Master of Arts in Psychology, University of Richmond, 2006. Thesis director: Barbara K. Sholley, Ph.D Although practicing preventative healthcare is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, some high-risk populations do not engage in preventative screenings for cancer. Vietnamese American women constitute a high-risk group in gynecological cancers, and it was hypothesized that tenure, acculturation, health insurance, a regular source of care, education, employment status, and marital status would affect rates of cancer screening. It was also hypothesized that the Vietnamese population would have different trends and behaviors as compared to the general Asian population. Another topic of speculation was whether cervical cancer screening and breast cancer screening constituted as independent dimensions of cancer screening behavior or if they were a part of a general dimension of behavior. 70 Vietnamese immigrant women from the metropolitan area of Richmond completed surveys that accessed demographic variables, frequency and intention of receiving mammogram and Pap tests, and acculturation. Results show that the Vietnamese population had marked differences in behaviors influential of cancer screening. Marital status, health insurance, gender of the physician, possession of a regular source of care, and employment status were found to be significant predictors of previous receipt of mammograms and Pap smears. Acculturation, length of tenure, and age of immigration were found to be significant predictors of intent to get a mammogram or a Pap smear. Breast cancer and cervical cancer screening were found to constitute a general dimension of cancer screening behavior. I certify that I have read this thesis and find that, in scope and in quality, it satisfies the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. ~y Dr. Barbara Sholley, Thesis Advisor Dr. Ping Li, Committee Member Signature Dr. Amy

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