McKenna, Kirsten (2021) Need for Control and Self-Reliance Traits as Barriers to Preventative Screening Behaviour. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) was established in Australia with the aim of increasing early detection of colorectal cancer and its’ precursors, in order to reduce cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, the NBCSP is significantly underutilised, particularly by younger males who have a 34% participation rate. The aim of the present research was to investigate the potential influence of one of the known barriers to help-seeking, need for control and self-reliance (NCSR), on participation in the NBCSP. NCSR is a known masculinity norm associated with poor health behaviours and was hypothesised as a barrier to participation in the NBCSP. This study consisted of a cross-sectional survey design on a convenience sample of 211 participants between 50-74 years of age (M = 60.20, SD = 6.83). NCSR was measured through the “Need for Control and Self-reliance” sub-scales from Mansfield’s Barriers to Seeking Help Scales. Data was analysed through correlations and multiple binary logistic regressions. NCSR was found to be negatively associated with kit return (OR = 0.61, p = .03, 95% CIs [.40, .95]). Unexpectedly, age and gender did not moderate this relationship although, age and gender individually demonstrated main effects on kit return, with older adults (OR = 1.08) and females (OR = 0.32) being more likely to return their kit. With this understanding, effective, tailored interventions focusing on NCSR can be designed to improve participation across all genders and ages, that aim to ultimately reduce the burden of colorectal cancer on individuals and the healthcare expenditure.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Michael Ireland; Belinda Goodwin |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 31 Jul 2025 01:07 |
| Last Modified: | 31 Jul 2025 01:07 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers to help-seeking ; need for control ; self-reliance ; colorectal cancer ; masculine norms |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52561 |
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