Purpose-in-Life and Breast Health Behavior in Hispanic and Anglo Women

Abstract

Hispanic and Anglo women differ in their practice of breast health behavior. A likely factor is differences in purpose-in-life (PIL) that influence motivation to achieve goals. To determine the relationship between PIL and breast health behavior, the PIL Test was modified and translated into Spanish, and the Breast Health Behavior Questionnaire (BHBQ) was generated. Both Spanish and English versions of the PIL Test and the BHBQ were measured in 40 Spanish and 40 Anglo women ages 20 to 49. Cronbach’s alpha for the PIL Test were .86 for the English version and .72 for the Spanish; Cronbach’s alpha for the BHBQ were .78 for the English and .70 for the Spanish version. There was a significant relationship between PIL and breast health behaviors in Anglo women but not in Hispanic women. Findings suggest further study of PIL in Hispanic women and may indicate a need for teaching the benefits of self-regulation to maintain health.