Linking Risk Perception to Breast Cancer Examination Intention in China: Examining an Adapted Cognitive Mediation Model

ABSTRACT

Drawn upon the cognitive mediation model, this study proposes an adapted model and examines the mechanisms by which Chinese women’s risk perception of breast cancer becomes associated with their breast cancer examination intention. Our hypothesized model was largely supported by an online survey with a nationwide sample of 458 Chinese women. The results indicated that a person’s perceived risk for breast cancer motivated information seeking and scanning using various mass media and online channels, which then positively predicted the person’s quest for greater elaboration and more interpersonal discussion. In addition, elaboration was positively associated with breast cancer-related factual knowledge and subjective norms, whereas interpersonal discussion only exerted a positive relationship with subjective norms but not factual knowledge. As predicted, knowledge and subjective norms were positively associated with people’s intentions to pursue breast cancer examination. Future research should consider both information seeking and scanning in the process of media learning and reflection. In addition to intrapersonal factors like knowledge, the interpersonal reasoning process that cultivates a favorable social influence is pivotal in promoting breast cancer examination in China.

Acknowledgement

We thank anonymous reviewers for their constructive feedback, and senior editor for his helpful editorial comments.

Notes

1. In our data analysis, the respondents who answered “don’t know” or chose the wrong answer were recoded as 0, and only those who chose the correct answer were recoded as 1.

2. T indicates that the answer is likely true or definitely true.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by Project 19CXW018 supported by National Social Science Foundation of China.