The Impact of Acculturation on Quality of Life in African American Women Living with A Lung or Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis

The purpose of the proposed pilot study was to explore potential relationships between acculturation, selected demographic characteristics and perceived quality of life in African American women who have been diagnosed with and received treatment for colorectal or lung cancer. There is limited research examining potential cultural and demographic factors related to the ability to cope and maintain quality of life.

A descriptive, exploratory research design was used for this study and utilized three surveys to gather data including the African American Acculturation Scale-Revised World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument – BREF, and a Demographic Data Form.

A total of 15 African American women who had been diagnosed with lung or colorectal cancer during the past five years were recruited for this pilot study.

Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including measures of central tendency, interquartile ranges, variance, and standard deviation as well as tests of differences, Mann Whitney U, and linear regressions. A statistical significance of α < .05 was the standard used for this research.

Results of the research study provided baseline data about the impact of American women with colorectal or lung cancer . Published results will assist in filling the existing gap in research literature.