CULTURAL-DIFFERENCES IN ATTITUDES, VALUES, AND BELIEFS ABOUT OSTEOPOROSIS IN FIRST-GENERATION AND 2ND-GENERATION JAPANESE-AMERICAN WOMEN

This study examines attitudinal differences related to osteoporosis be tween first and second generation Japanese-American women. In an inter view, the women completed a battery of tests assessing their attitudes , values, and beliefs about the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up ca re of osteoporosis. The groups differed in their general knowledge of osteoporosis, perceptions of the disease, attributions of its causes, anticipated and preferred support mechanisms for care, and anticipated areas of concern for self- or other-care. There were also considerabl e differences in treatment compliance and feelings toward physicians. The findings were discussed in relation to the effects of culture on h ealth-care attitudes and behaviors.