Optimistic bias in young adults for cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases: A pilot study on smokers and drinkers.
Optimistic bias defines the tendency for human beings to underrate risk when it pertains to themselves compared with their view of risk pertaining to other people in the same conditions. The aim of this work is to investigate the optimistic bias in risk perception and health-related behaviours for three specific conditions in a young adult sample: cancer, respiratory disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Young adults showed an optimistic bias related to cancer, and to cardiovascular diseases. Our findings suggest that optimistic bias is linked to specific behavioural patterns, largely widespread in young adults, such as tobacco cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption.
1 University of Milan, Italy.|2 European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Italy.
Marianna
M
Masiero
1 University of Milan, Italy.|2 European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Italy.
Silvia
S
Riva
1 University of Milan, Italy.|2 European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Italy.
Serena
S
Oliveri
1 University of Milan, Italy.
Chiara
C
Fioretti
1 University of Milan, Italy.|2 European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Italy.
Gabriella
G
Pravettoni
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015982:Bias; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D000067656:Optimism; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
alcohol consumption; cancer; cardiovascular disease; decision-making; health-risk perception; optimistic bias; respiratory disease; tobacco cigarette smoking