title: The Influence of Absolute and Comparative Risk Perceptions on Cervical Cancer Screening and the Mediating Role of Cancer Worry.
abstract: This research investigates the interrelationships between cancer risk perceptions (absolute and comparative risk perceptions), cancer worry, and cervical cancer screening. Using a nationally representative survey data set (N = 2,304) from the 2012 Health Information National Trends Survey Circle 1, we found that although neither absolute risk perceptions nor comparative risk perceptions exerted a direct impact on women's compliance with the cervical cancer screening recommendation (i.e., that women ages 21 to 65 obtain Pap smear every 3 years; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2012 ), both types of risk perceptions had an indirect effect on cervical cancer screening through the mediation of cancer worry. These results suggest a primal role of affect in health decision making. Implications of the findings for cancer risk communication are discussed.
authors: a Department of Communication , University of Maryland at College Park , College Park , Maryland , USA.
authors: Xinyan
authors: X
authors: Zhao
authors: a Department of Communication , University of Maryland at College Park , College Park , Maryland , USA.
authors: Xiaoli
authors: X
authors: Nan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D065006:Papanicolaou Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult