Knowledge and Attitudes about Genetic Testing: Social Integration, Tie Strength, Social Capital, and Social Cohesion

• In Event: 3565 - Social Capital: Isolation and Integration

Abstract

Despite more than twenty-five years of research on social determinants of public awareness and concerns about genetic technologies, the role of social networks has been given little specific attention. Drawing data from the 2004 General Social Survey, we examine four theories respectively on four network-based concepts: social integration (measured as social participation and network size), weak ties (measured as low-closeness connections), social capital (measured as network members’ status), and social cohesion (measured as generalized trust). These four theories respectively expect these four concepts to be positively associated with knowledge and attitudes about genetic testing. Although varying by the measurement of these four concepts and outcomes, results on self-reported knowledge about genetic testing support social integration theory, weak ties theory, and social capital theory; results on the attitude toward genetic testing support social integration theory, weak ties theory, and social cohesion theory; and results on the preference for prenatal genetic testing support social integration theory and weak ties theory. Theoretical and methodological implications for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Lijun Song, Vanderbilt University

• Yvonne Chen, Vanderbilt University