Contemplating genetic feedback regarding lung cancer susceptibility.
OBJECTIVE
We examined three theoretical models (self-enhancement theory, consistency theory, and a combined model) for understanding how expectations and test result favorability influence smokers' desire for a retest following hypothetical genetic test results.


METHODS
College smokers (N = 128) read a brochure describing a biomarker for lung cancer (the GSTM1 gene) then reported whether they thought they had the gene (indicating lower lung cancer risk) or were missing the gene (indicating higher lung cancer risk). Participants then reported whether they would get retested if they received favorable GSTM1 results versus unfavorable GSTM1 results.


RESULTS
Participants were most likely to want a retest, suggesting rejection of the results, if they expected favorable news yet received unfavorable news.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings supported the combined model such that smokers expressed greatest interest in a retest when they imagined genetic risk feedback that challenges both enhancement and consistency motives.
Department of Psychology, University of Florida, PO Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611-2250, USA, shepperd@ufl.edu.
James A
JA
Shepperd
Corinne A
CA
Novell
Suzanne C
SC
O'Neill
Sharron L
SL
Docherty
Saskia C
SC
Sanderson
Colleen M
CM
McBride
Isaac M
IM
Lipkus
D000293:Adolescent; D000339:Affect; D003071:Cognition; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
D005982:Glutathione Transferase