Influence of coping with prostate cancer threat on frequency of digital rectal examinations.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the role of personality variables in coping with cancer threat in the receipt of digital rectal examinations among men from 7 ethnic subpopulations composing 3 major ethnic groups.


METHODS
Three hundred eight men were assessed on how often they obtained digital rectal exams and their likelihood of coping with a hypothetical cancer diagnosis.


RESULTS
There were ethnic disparities in screening frequency that were not accounted for by demographic/background variables. Coping styles that reflect problem solving, use of social support, and avoidance provided unique and additional variance in understanding these disparities.


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer researchers and educators must account for heterogeneity within typical major ethnic groups, as well as consider the role of personality variables, as they differentially predict outcomes in ethnic subpopulations.
Kudadjie-Gyamfi
Elizabeth
E
Psychology Department, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. Elizabeth.Kudadjie-Gyamfi@liu.edu
Consedine
Nathan S
NS
Ungar
Tracey
T
Magai
Carol
C
D000069:Acculturation; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003717:Denial, Psychological; D051517:Digital Rectal Examination / Q000523:psychology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen