Keywords

cancer, oncology, colorectal cancer, EPPM, efficacy, threat

Abstract

Objective: Relatives of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients are at increased risk for the disease, yet screening rates still remain low. Guided by the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) we examined the impact of a personalized, remote risk communication intervention on behavioral intention and colonoscopy-uptake in relatives of CRC patients, assessing the original additive model and an alternative model in which each theoretical construct contributes uniquely. Methods: We collected intention-to-screen and medical-record-verified colonoscopy information on 218 individuals who received the personalized intervention. Results: Structural equation modeling showed poor main model fit (RMSEA=0.109; SRMR=0.134; CFI=0.797; AIC=11601; BIC=11884). However, the alternative model (RMSEA=0.070; SRMR=0.105; CFI=0.918; AIC=11186; BIC=11498) showed good fit. Cancer susceptibility (B =0.319, p <.001) and colonoscopy self-efficacy (B=0.364, p<0.001) perceptions predicted intention-to-screen which was significantly associated with colonoscopy uptake (B=0.539, p<0.001). Conclusions: Our findings provide support of the utility of EPPM for designing effective interventions to motivate CRC screening in persons at increased risk when individual elements of the model are considered.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2015

Publisher

Author's Manuscript

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

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Psychology Commons

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