Development of cultural belief scales for mammography screening.
OBJECTIVE
To develop instruments to measure culturally related variables that may influence mammography screening behaviors in African American women.


METHODS
Instrumentation methodology.


METHODS
Community organizations and public housing in the Indianapolis, IN, area.


METHODS
111 African American women with a mean age of 60.2 years and 64 Caucasian women with a mean age of 60 years.


METHODS
After item development, scales were administered. Data were analyzed by factor analysis, item analysis via internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's alpha, and independent t tests and logistic regression analysis to test theoretical relationships.


METHODS
Personal space preferences, health temporal orientation, and perceived personal control.


RESULTS
Space items were factored into interpersonal and physical scales. Temporal orientation items were loaded on one factor, creating a one-dimensional scale. Control items were factored into internal and external control scales. Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the scales ranged from 0.76-0.88. Interpersonal space preference, health temporal orientation, and perceived internal control scales each were predictive of mammography screening adherence.


CONCLUSIONS
The three tested scales were reliable and valid. Scales, on average, did not differ between African American and Caucasian populations.


CONCLUSIONS
These scales may be useful in future investigations aimed at increasing mammography screening in African American and Caucasian women.
Russell
Kathleen M
KM
School of Nursing, Indiana University in Indianapolis, IN, USA. katrusse@iupui.edu
Champion
Victoria L
VL
Perkins
Susan M
SM
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*