Impact of Genetic Testing on Smoking Cessation Motivation
Author Information
Author(s): Alison J Wright, Takeichi C, Whitwell SCL, Hankins M, Marteau TM
Primary Institution: King's College London
Hypothesis
Genetic risk information generates greater intentions to stop smoking than risk information based only on family history.
Conclusion
Higher risk magnitudes better motivate behaviour change, regardless of whether they are derived from genetic tests or not.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants who received a 50% risk estimate were significantly more motivated than those who received a 3% risk estimate.
- Grouped icon displays were more motivating than dispersed displays.
- Intentions to quit were higher when the risk estimate was based on a mutation-negative result compared to family history alone.
Takeaway
The study found that showing people their genetic risk of Crohn's disease can make them more likely to want to stop smoking, especially if the risk is presented in a clear way.
Methodology
Participants were randomly allocated to different risk vignettes in a 3x3x2 experimental design to assess the effects of risk provenance, risk magnitude, and display type on intentions to quit smoking.
Potential Biases
The mention of genetic testing in a family-history-only condition may have obscured the motivational impact of risk provenance.
Limitations
The study's analogue methods may not fully reflect real clinical encounters, and there was a small error in the information presented to some participants.
Participant Demographics
{"gender":{"male":75,"female":105},"educational_qualifications":{"no_formal_qualifications":12,"GCSEs":39,"A_levels":43,"university_degree":75,"other_qualifications":11}}
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.003
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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