Religion, Fatalism, and Cancer Control: A Qualitative Study among Hispanic Catholics

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Am J Health Behav
• Personal Author:
  Leyva, Bryan ; Allen, Jennifer D. ; Tom, Laura S. ; Ospino, Hosffman ; Torres, Maria Idali ; Abraido-Lanza, Ana F.
• Description:
  Objectives
  
  To assess cancer perceptions among churchgoers and to examine the potential influence of fatalism and religious beliefs on the use of cancer screening tests.
  
  Methods
  
  Eight semi-structured focus groups were conducted among 67 Hispanic Catholics in Massachusetts.
  
  Results
  
  In this sample, there were few references to fatalistic beliefs about cancer and nearly universal endorsement of the utility of cancer screening for cancer early detection. Most participants reported that their religious beliefs encouraged them to use health services, including cancer-screening tests. Although participants agreed that God plays an active role in health, they also affirmed the importance of self-agency in determining cancer outcomes.
  
  Conclusions
  
  Our findings challenge the assumption that fatalism is an overriding perspective among Hispanics. Catholic religious beliefs may contribute to positive health attitudes and behaviors.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Adult Aged Aged, 80 And Over Catholicism Culture Early Detection Of Cancer Female Focus Groups Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Hispanic Or Latino Humans Male Middle Aged Neoplasms Personal Autonomy Qualitative Research

  More +
• Keywords:
  Cancer Cancer Fatalism Cancer Screening Catholic Fatalism Hispanics Latinos Religion
• Source:
  Am J Health Behav. 38(6):839-849
• Pubmed ID:
  25207510
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC4424042
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  R25GM062454/GM/NIGMS NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U48DP001946/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHSUnited States/ ; U54 CA156732/CA/NCI NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U54CA156732/CA/NCI NIH HHSUnited States/ ; U48 DP001946/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHSUnited States/ ; UL1TR000040/TR/NCATS NIH HHSUnited States/ ; UL1 TR000040/TR/NCATS NIH HHSUnited States/ ; R25 GM062454/GM/NIGMS NIH HHSUnited States/
• Volume:
  38
• Issue:
  6
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:3bec88b4c0cc4ec133d004098878412dd4e7c870fae651f7a8b4c532b38dc529
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/30881/cdc_30881_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 154.66 KB ]