Relationship of Media Attention to Colorectal Cancer-Related Risk Appraisals in Older Japanese Americans

Using Structural Equation Modeling to Develop an Explanatory Model

  • Keiko Honda Columbia University
  • Gary L. Kreps George Mason University

Abstract

Objectives: The goals of this study were: (1) to explore how personal attributes and media attention are related to colorectal cancer (CRC)-related risk appraisals (i.e., causal attribution, and fatalism/misconception) among Japanese Americans at risk; and (2) to identify segments of the population that should be targeted for education programs, topics of interest, and health communication channels. Methods: Structural equation modeling was used to cross-sectionally test a proposed model derived from the Heuristic-Systematic Model (HSM) and Attribution Theory for understanding the relationship between media attention and cognitive processes related to CRC in a population-based community sample of 341 asymptomatic Japanese Americans aged 50 and over residing in the Greater New York region. Results: Accounting for 30% of the variance in risk appraisals, the data fit a model (χ²(136)=231.41, p<.001; GFI=0.936, CFI=0.911, RMSEA=0.045). Fatalism/misconception was directly associated with older age, more psychological distress, and lower acculturation level, but with no media attention. Attention to non-interactive multimedia increased diet-related and genetic casual attribution and mediated the effects of age and income. While younger age, higher income and greater acculturation increased attention to Internet, attention to Internet was not related to risk appraisals. Conclusions: Fatalism/misconception appears to be unrelated to attention to media, and rather attributed to certain personal factors. Findings indicate that beliefs about dietary and genetic influences on CRC are a function of levels of media attention for this population, underscoring the roles media can play in raising awareness of CRC risk factors.
Published
2006-09-01
How to Cite
Honda, K., & Kreps, G. L. (2006). Relationship of Media Attention to Colorectal Cancer-Related Risk Appraisals in Older Japanese Americans: Using Structural Equation Modeling to Develop an Explanatory Model. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 4(3), 23-33. https://doi.org/10.32398/cjhp.v4i3.1954