Sociodemographic correlates of cancer fatalism and the moderating role of religiosity: Results from a nationally-representative survey

Abstract

In general, it has been found that cancer fatalism is negatively associated with important cancer prevention and control behaviors, whereas religiosity is positively associated with these behaviors. Yet, the notion that religiosity gives rise to fatalistic beliefs that may discourage health behaviors is deeply ingrained in the public health literature. In addition, racial/ethnic group membership is associated with higher reports of cancer fatalism, though this association may be confounded by socioeconomic status (SES). A better understanding of the relationships between racial/ethnic group membership, SES, and religiosity may contribute to the development of effective interventions to address cancer fatalism and improve health behaviors. In this study, we examined associations between racial/ethnic group membership, SES, and cancer fatalism as the outcome. In addition, we tested whether religiosity (as measured by religious service attendance) moderated these relationships.

Keywords:

• Cancer control
• cancer fatalism
• ethnicity
• health beliefs
• race
• religiosity

Acknowledgment

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and publication of this article. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institutes of Health or any other government agency.

Disclosure statement

Bryan Leyva declares that he has no conflict of interest. Anh B. Nguyen declares that she has no conflict of interest. Adolfo Cuevas declares no conflict of interest. Jennifer D. Allen declares that she has no conflict of interest. Stephen H. Taplin declares that he has no conflict of interest. Richard P. Moser declares that he has no conflict of interest.