Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Fatalism Reconceptualized: A Concept To Predict Health Screening Behavior, Paulin Tay Straughan, Adeline Seow

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Social norms governing health seeking behavior affect perceived self-efficacy which in turn determines if self-directed change is sustained. Using this argument, we contextualized the link between social background and preventive health behavior. We argued that fatalism influenced self-efficacy, which in turn affected acceptability of four screen tests: mammography, clinical breast examination, breast self-examination, and the Pap Smear Test. A seven-item index was developed to measure fatalism. From data obtained through a community survey of women between 50 to 65 years, the index was validated. Logistic regression was conducted to verify the empirical link between fatalism and the four screen tests. …