Cancer fatalism and breast cancer screening in African American women.

Despite significant advances in science, medicine, and technology African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer than Caucasian women. There is a growing body of literature that describes strategies to improve breast cancer screening among African American women. However, data suggest that African American women, compared to Caucasian women, are less likely to participate in regular breast cancer screening. The belief that a diagnosis of cancer will result in death has been identified as a potential barrier to cancer screening in African American population groups. However, research examining the degree to which perceptions of fatalism influence breast cancer screening in culturally and ethnically diverse population groups is scant. This repot describes the outcomes of a study undertaken to examine relationships between perceptions of cancer fatalism and breast cancer screening in African American women. Findings support the postulation that fatalism negatively influences health promoting practices such as breast cancer screening. However, contrary to prior research findings age was observed to be inversely associated with cancer fatalism.

Spiritual well-being and caregiver burden in Alzheimer's caregivers.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between spiritual well-being and caregiver burden in family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease. A descriptive, correlational research design was used, and a convenience sample of 150 caregivers was surveyed (71 African Americans, 77 Caucasians, and 2 other caregivers). Descriptive statistics were used to examine selected caregiver demographics. Statistical analysis included bivariate correlations using the Pearson product-moment coefficient correlation. The study's research question was as follows: What is the relationship between spiritual well-being and caregiver burden? It was hypothesized that there would be an inverse relationship between the 2 variables. A statistically significance inverse relationship (R = -.493, P < or = .01) was found to exist between the variables, thereby supporting the study's hypothesis. Additional findings revealed significant differences in African American and Caucasian caregiver's perception of spiritual well-being and caregiver burden. Caregivers also reported frequent use of spiritual behaviors or practices such as prayer. Findings implicate the need for further investigation and development of culturally relevant caregiver intervention strategies and programs that incorporate spirituality as a core component.