Date of Conferral

2-12-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Matthew Howren

Abstract

In the United States, lung cancer is responsible for killing more people than prostate, breast, and colon cancer combined. African Americans are at a greater risk of dying from the disease due to the infrequency of early detection achieved through screening. This research focused on African American female smokers (AAFS) in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia between the ages of 50 and 80 with a 20-year pack history and who were smoking or had quit within the past 15 years. A quantitative correlational research design was employed with a sample of 101 participants to explore the relationship between cancer stigma, attitudes toward screening, and cultural beliefs in AAFS on the intention to screen for lung cancer after controlling for age and smoking history. Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB) served as the theoretical foundation of this study. The psychometrically validated measures employed were the Cancer Stigma Scale, the Lung Cancer Screening Health Behavior Scale, and the Cultural Beliefs Scale. None of the key predictors were significantly associated with intention to screen; however, logistic regression analysis revealed age was a significant predictor of the intention to screen. The results of this study suggest that demographic factors such as age may play a more significant role in screening intentions than the psychosocial constructs emphasized by TPB. This research supports positive social change by raising awareness of the need to screen for lung cancer in AAFS, advocating for improved access to preventative screening services in AAFS, and consideration of culturally competent healthcare for AAFS, ultimately aiming to reduce lung cancer mortality in underserved communities.

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