Construct definition and scale development for defensive information processing: an application to colorectal cancer...

Area of Science:

• Health Communication
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Individuals employ various defensive strategies when faced with negative health information.
• Defensive processes are not well-conceptualized or measured outside of psychopathology.
• Colorectal cancer screening is a critical public health issue where defensiveness can be a barrier.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated conceptual model of defensive strategies.
• To create and validate measurement scales for defensiveness related to colorectal cancer screening.
• To enhance understanding and intervention design for individuals resistant to health risk information.

Main Methods:

• Literature review to inform a conceptual model of defensive strategies.
• Development of measurement scales for 4 stages of defensive processing: attention avoidance, blunting, suppression, and counterarguing.
• Iterative testing and refinement of measures using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation models on two independent adult samples (n=226, 287).

Main Results:

• The conceptual model guided the creation of validated subscales (3-8 items) for defensive information processing.
• Measures demonstrated good internal reliability and expected associations with colorectal cancer screening correlates.
• Scale items showed invariance across adherence status to screening guidelines, indicating reliability.

Conclusions:

• The developed conceptual model and measurement scales offer a foundation for future research and validation.
• These tools are expected to advance the understanding of defensive processes in health contexts.
• The measures can inform the design and evaluation of interventions targeting resistant populations for improved cancer risk communication and screening adherence.