Genetics and alcoholism among at-risk relatives I: perceptions of cause, risk, and control.
Genetic factors influence a person's risk for developing alcoholism. In other common disorders with a genetic component, a belief in a genetic cause can lead to less perceived control or fatalism among those at risk that may adversely affect undertaking health-promoting behaviors. This study explores beliefs about the cause of alcoholism and risk perception among individuals with affected relatives. In-depth interviews including both open-ended questions and several quantitative measures were conducted with participants to explore the relationships between causal beliefs and perceptions of personal risk and control. Twenty-seven individuals with at least one first-degree relative affected with alcoholism participated. Transcript analysis of interviews revealed that all participants attribute multiple factors to the cause of alcoholism in their families, often as a combination of biological, genetic, environmental factors, and personal characteristics. Many perceived themselves as being 'at-risk,' and this concern often stemmed from a belief in a genetic or biological cause of alcoholism. However, participants also had a strong sense of personal control, rooted in beliefs about environmental causes or personal characteristics influencing alcoholism risk. A participant's strong belief in a genetic cause was associated with a significantly increased risk perception, but not a fatalistic outlook towards developing alcoholism.
Gamm
Jennifer L
JL
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Jennifer.Gamm@cchmc.org
Nussbaum
Robert L
RL
Biesecker
Barbara Bowles
BB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D004777:Environment; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires