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A model of disease-specific worry in heritable disease: the influence of family history, perceived risk and worry about other illnesses

J Behav Med. 2006 Feb;29(1):37-49. doi: 10.1007/s10865-005-9039-y. Epub 2006 Feb 10.

Abstract

Disease-related worry is associated with family history and perceived risk of that disease; however, the influences of general risk perceptions and tendencies to worry about diseases have been neglected in the literature. This study investigates a model of disease-specific worry which includes family history, disease-specific perceived risk, and perceived risk for and worry about other diseases. Participants completed a survey assessing these variables in relation to several heritable diseases. Structural equation modeling found that family history predicted disease-specific perceived risk but not perceived risk for other diseases. Disease-specific perceived risk predicted disease-specific worry and worry about other diseases. Perceived risk for other diseases predicted worry about other diseases and disease-specific perceived risk but not disease-specific worry. Disease-specific worry predicted worry about other diseases. This model was supported across several diseases and indicates that disease-specific and general considerations of risk influence worry about a disease and should be considered in interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colonic Neoplasms / psychology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus / psychology
  • Female
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / genetics
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / psychology*
  • Health Surveys
  • Heart Diseases / genetics
  • Heart Diseases / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / psychology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sex Factors
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Surveys and Questionnaires