Examining the roles of fatalism, stigma, and risk perception on cancer information seeking and avoidance among Chinese adults in Hong Kong

Purpose: To examine how cancer fatalism, stigma, and risk perception influence information seeking and avoidance among Chinese adults in Hong Kong.

Methods: We administered an online survey to 616 Hong Kong Chinese adults using quota sampling and analyzed the data using structural equation modeling.

Results: Fatalism was positively associated with susceptibility (β =.25, p <.001), severity (β =.11, p =.03), and fear (β =.17, p <.001), while stigma was negatively associated with severity (β = −.22, p <.001). Severity (β = −.19, p <.001) was negatively associated but fear was positively associated with cancer information avoidance (β =.14, p =.01). Implications for Psychosocial Providers or Policy: Public health communication and education on cancer risks among ethnic Chinese communities in Hong Kong should be sensitive and address underlying cultural beliefs and views that may impede active information seeking.