Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
Breast Cancer Family History and Behavioral Health Intentions: An Esteem-Relevant Mechanism Informed by the Terror
Emily P Courtney1,2, Jamie L Goldenberg1
1Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
Family history of breast cancer impacts health behaviors through perceived risk and death associations, ultimately boosting self-esteem. Interventions should highlight the esteem benefits of breast health actions for at-risk women.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Health Behavior
- Cancer Prevention
Background:
- The Terror Management Health Model (TMHM) explains how mortality concerns drive health behaviors via self-esteem.
- Family history of breast cancer is a significant risk factor influencing women's health decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how family history of breast cancer influences preventative breast health behaviors using the TMHM framework.
- To examine the mediating roles of perceived susceptibility, breast cancer-death associations, and breast health esteem.
Main Methods:
- Two online studies recruited women with varying family histories of breast cancer.
- Participants completed questionnaires assessing perceived susceptibility, breast cancer-death associations, breast health esteem, and behavioral intentions.
Main Results:
- Family history influenced behavioral intentions through a serial mediation pathway: susceptibility perceptions, breast cancer-death association, and breast health esteem.
- Mortality priming did not directly affect health behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Perceived susceptibility and death associations are key motivators for breast health behaviors in women with a family history, mediated by self-esteem.
- Health interventions can be enhanced by emphasizing the self-esteem benefits of breast health behaviors for high-risk individuals.
Related Concept Videos
Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention I
The health belief model (HBM) attempts to predict health-related behavior in specific belief patterns. According to the HBM, a person's...
Panic Disorder
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention II
The agent-host-environment model states that disease results...
Bulimia Nervosa
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques I
Conscientiousness
Conscientious individuals tend to be organized, responsible, and disciplined. They prioritize completing tasks and following structured routines,...
