Instructional information and breast self-examination practice.
The effects of four interventions on frequency and thoroughness of breast self-examination (BSE) were compared. The interventions provided different types of information, as derived from a self-regulation framework, to promote BSE practice. Women seeking BSE instruction (N = 204) were randomly assigned to interventions. No intervention effects on frequency were observed. However, exam frequency increased from pre- to postintervention and remained constant over 3 and 6 months follow-up. Interaction effects observed on thoroughness suggested that a positive effect of sensory information about the breast was conditional upon having had prior experience with BSE. Implications for research, theory, and practice are drawn.
Lauver
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University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia 19104-6096.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010173:Palpation; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D012682:Sensory Aids