Self-esteem, compliance, and cervical screening

A computerized version of the semantic differential was administered to 57 respondents and 43 nonrespondents to invitations for a cervical smear test. 26 concepts pertaining to emotional, social, parental, and health-related domains were tested. The semantic differential was followed by a personal questionnaire. Analysis indicated that fear, worry, and embarrassment were negatively correlated with the decision to have a cervical smear test. Respondents seemed to have higher self-esteem and better relationships with their husbands than nonrespondents.