TY - JOUR
T1 - The relationship between social network characteristics and breast cancer screening practices among employed women
AU - Allen, Jennifer Dacey
AU - Sorensen, Glorian
AU - Stoddard, Anne M.
AU - Peterson, Karen E.
AU - Colditz, Graham
N1 - Funding Information:
Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from women employed in 27 Massachusetts worksites participating in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Education Project. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Education Project, a 4-year randomized trial funded by the National Cancer Institute, was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of cancer education offered in the workplace. Data from the baseline survey, administered prior to randomization of worksites to treatment condition, formed the basis for the present investigation.
Funding Information:
Preparation of this manuscript was supported in part by a grant from the National Cancer Institute, grant number RO1 CA 66038.
PY - 1999
Y1 - 1999
N2 - This study examined the relationship between social network characteristics and breast cancer screening practices among employed women. We hypothesized that larger social networks, higher levels of support from networks, and stronger social influences to undergo screening would be positively associated with regular utilization of mammograms and clinical breast examinations. Data were collected from women aged 52 and over who were employed in 27 worksites (N = 1,045). Social network characteristics, breast cancer screening practices, and sociodemographic factors were assessed in a self-administered survey. Bivariate analyses revealed that social influences were significantly associated with regular screening; social support was only marginally associated with regular screening; and social network size was not at all associated. In multivariate analyses, only the perception that screening is normative among one's peers was predictive of regular screening. Provider recommendation was the single most potent predictor of regular screening. These findings provide support for the importance of social norms in motivating women to adhere to screening guidelines. In addition, they underscore the potent impact of provider recommendations on women's screening practices.
AB - This study examined the relationship between social network characteristics and breast cancer screening practices among employed women. We hypothesized that larger social networks, higher levels of support from networks, and stronger social influences to undergo screening would be positively associated with regular utilization of mammograms and clinical breast examinations. Data were collected from women aged 52 and over who were employed in 27 worksites (N = 1,045). Social network characteristics, breast cancer screening practices, and sociodemographic factors were assessed in a self-administered survey. Bivariate analyses revealed that social influences were significantly associated with regular screening; social support was only marginally associated with regular screening; and social network size was not at all associated. In multivariate analyses, only the perception that screening is normative among one's peers was predictive of regular screening. Provider recommendation was the single most potent predictor of regular screening. These findings provide support for the importance of social norms in motivating women to adhere to screening guidelines. In addition, they underscore the potent impact of provider recommendations on women's screening practices.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0032715725&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/BF02884833
DO - 10.1007/BF02884833
M3 - Article
C2 - 10626024
AN - SCOPUS:0032715725
SN - 0883-6612
VL - 21
SP - 193
EP - 200
JO - Annals of Behavioral Medicine
JF - Annals of Behavioral Medicine
IS - 3
ER -