Discussion
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DiscussionExamplewithallthreeparts2.docxDiscussion Comment by Wendy Kyei: Your discussion section that you submit must be one word document with all three parts!
The current study examined the relationship between perceived susceptibility to cancer and depression and students’ engagement in health-promoting behaviors. Health-promoting behaviors included physical activity, nutrition, health responsibility, stress management, spiritual growth, and interpersonal relationships. The study also compared students’ likelihood to engage in health-promoting behaviors based on their level of susceptibility to either cancer or depression.
Support of Past Research Comment by Wendy Kyei: Part 1
The first hypothesis stated that perceived susceptibility to cancer and perceived susceptibility to depression would significantly and positively correlate with engagement in overall health-promoting behaviors. The results showed that there was a significant negative correlation between perceived susceptibility to cancer and overall health-promoting behaviors and perceived susceptibility to depression and overall health-promoting behaviors. This indicates that as perceived susceptibility to cancer or depression increased, engagement in health-promoting behaviors decreased. This is inconsistent with previous studies that found a positive relationship between perceived susceptibility to cancer and the likelihood of engaging in mammography screening practices (Gilfoyle et al., 2019) or breast self-examination practices (Al-Sharbatti et al., 2013). A possible explanation for these results can be found in this perspective. Rather than thinking the higher perceived susceptibility, the greater likelihood one will engage in health-promoting behaviors, individuals who engaged in more health-promoting behaviors may believe they are less likely to develop cancer or depression due to the health benefits associated with engaging in these behaviors. Thus, the healthier behaviors they engage in, the lower their perceived susceptibility to these conditions. Previous studies have shown that belief can motivate individuals to adopt healthy behaviors (Al-Sharbatti et al., 2013). However, Rosenstock (1974) further indicated that though belief may motivate engagement in healthy behaviors, engagement in these behaviors may reduce the perceived threat of the disease and thus lower perceived susceptibility to developing the illness.
The second hypothesis examined whether individuals with a family history of cancer or depression would report significantly higher perceived susceptibility to the respective illness than those with no family history. Supporting the hypothesis, results indicated that individuals who had a family history of cancer or depression reported greater susceptibility to either illness than those with no family history. These findings are consistent with studies that found that individuals with a family history of illnesses such as cancer (Al-Dubai et al., 2013; Vornanen et al., 2016) and depression (Vornanen et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2020) believed they were susceptible to the illness. Family history of illnesses such as cancer (National Cancer Institute, 2015) and depression (Davila et al., 2010) have been shown to increase individuals’ risk of developing these conditions. Therefore, it is reasonable for people with such a family history to believe they may be more susceptible to these illnesses.
Limitations Comment by Wendy Kyei: Part 2: State at least 3 limitations of your study.
Some limitations of the study have been identified. Firstly, the sample was largely homogenous regarding sex, with about 84% of the participants being female. Additionally, the sample was predominantly black or white with only about 16% of the sample reporting their race as anything else, thus limiting generalizability. Other limitations of the study stem from the research’s inherent nature. For instance, data collection relied on self-reported measures, which may have been subject to bias as participants may have provided socially desirable responses and may not have been entirely truthful. Also, correlations indicate relationships and should not be interpreted as causality. The study population was from one school; thus, generalization of the findings should be done with caution.
Future Directions Comment by Wendy Kyei: Part 3
The results of this study serve as a foundation for further research on how susceptibility to different illnesses influences engagement in healthy behaviors. Future studies should consider testing the effectiveness of the health belief model in other mental health conditions by examining factors such as susceptibility and severity and health-promoting behaviors. Future research can address the current study’s limitations by assessing a more representative sample of males and females, as well as broadening the demographics and comparing other variables, such as race, ethnicity, age, etc. Qualitative research following up and exploring why students believe they are more susceptible to depression compared to cancer could offer valuable insight into how interpersonal and intrapersonal factors affect young adults' likelihood of engaging in healthy behaviors or their perceived risk of developing illnesses.
Implications
Firstly, this study contributes to the existing literature on perceived susceptibility to cancer, specifically examining how it compares to perceived susceptibility to depression, which has not been widely researched. Although there were no significant differences in engagement in healthy behaviors based on one’s susceptibility, this study provides valuable information. For instance, the findings of this study indicated that individuals who engaged in more health-promoting behaviors were less likely to believe they were susceptible to either cancer or depression. This reinforces the importance of educating college students and encouraging people to adopt healthy habits which can potentially lower their perceived risk of developing illnesses. This in turn can decrease their likelihood of developing various health conditions. Also, the findings confirm the importance of assessing both the mental and physical family history of patients to increase awareness of potential health risks.
On average, participants believed they were more susceptible to depression than cancer. This finding should encourage public health professionals to develop early intervention programs that educate young adults on their risk of developing cancer and the various health behaviors that have the potential of reducing these risks. Educational efforts should focus on informing young adults that cancer is not exclusive to older adults and that the American Cancer Society (2020) identified cancer as the 4th leading cause of death in their age group.
College is an appropriate setting to educate young adults on the importance of engaging in healthy behaviors. Overall health-promoting behaviors, physical activity, nutrition, and health responsibility subscales were all relatively low. These are all risk factors for various chronic physical and mental illnesses that would require timely intervention (Zambrano Bermeo et al., 2023). Efforts should be made to educate students on preventive behaviors that can reduce their risk of developing chronic conditions. Additionally, colleges need to continue to cultivate interpersonal relationships in students through teamwork and social networking, as well as organizing activities that help students grow spiritually (Zambrano Bermeo et al., 2023).
This research should, therefore, prompt and assist policymakers, stakeholders, and healthcare providers to develop guidelines for community-based preventive measures and education on cancer, depression, and healthy behaviors. Despite the limitations, this study provides a benchmark for future studies on perceived susceptibility to a physiological illness and a mental illness and how it relates to engagement in healthy behaviors.
References Comment by Wendy Kyei: Make sure to have one reference sheet here for the research articles you cite in all three parts of the discussion.
Al-Dubai, S. A., Ganasegeran, K., Alabsi, A. M., Shah, S. A., Razali, F. M., & Arokiasamy, J. T. (2013). Exploration of risk-taking behaviors and perceived susceptibility of colorectal cancer among Malaysian adults: A community-based cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 13. https://doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-930
Al-Sharbatti, S. S., Shaikh, R. B., Mathew, E., & Salman Al-Biate, M. A. (2013). Breast self-examination practice and breast cancer risk perception among female university students in Ajman. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 14(8), 4919-4923. https://doi:10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.8.4919
Al-Tamimi, I., & Bawazir, A. (2020). Knowledge and perceived susceptibility of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among Saudi female teachers. International Archives of Public Health and Community Medicine, 4(2), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.23937/2643-4512/1710045
Ahmad, F. B., Cisewski, J. A., Xu, J., & Anderson, R. N. (2023). Provisional mortality Data - United States, 2022, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(18), 488-492. https://doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7218a3
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