Busy lifestyles and mammography screening: time pressure and women's reattendance likelihood

Psychol Health. 2013;28(8):928-38. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2013.766734. Epub 2013 Feb 11.

Abstract

Time pressure is often cited as a reason for non-attendance at mammography screening, although evidence from other areas of psychology suggests that time pressure can improve performance when barriers such as time pressure provide a challenge. We predicted that time pressure would negatively predict attendance in women whose self-efficacy for overcoming time pressure is low, but positively predict attendance when self-efficacy is high. Time pressure was operationalised as the self-reported number of dependent children and others, and average number of working hours per week. Australian women were surveyed after being invited to attend second or subsequent screenings at a free public screening service, and subsequent attendance monitored until six months after screening was due. The majority (87.5%) attended screening. Women with more dependent children and higher self-efficacy showed greater attendance likelihood, and women with fewer non-child dependants and lower self-efficacy were less likely to attend. Working hours did not predict attendance. Findings provide partial support for the idea that time pressure acts as a challenge for women with high self-efficacy.

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Employment / statistics & numerical data
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Life Style*
  • Mammography / statistics & numerical data*
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Probability
  • Qualitative Research
  • Self Efficacy
  • Time Management / psychology*