Math Anxiety, Stigma, and Genetic Determinist Beliefs Linked to Negative Affect, Secrecy, and Spousal Communication About AATD or BRCA Genetic Mutations

• In Event: Interpersonal Provider, Patient, and Partner Talk About Health

Abstract

Better understanding about when and why married individuals communicate about genetic testing and/or keep such conversations secret from others is needed. Married adults (N = 361) from the U.S. who had been tested for AATD or BRCA genetic mutations or were married to someone who had been tested participated in an online survey. We examined math anxiety, stigma, and genetic essentialism for their roles in predicting negative affect associated with genetic testing, stigma and negative affect for their roles in secrecy about genetic testing, and essentialist beliefs and negative affect for their roles on talk with a spouse about genetic testing. Results indicated that the conceptual model fit the data well, and was consistent for both genetic conditions. Communication about genetic testing must be based in efforts to promote understanding of the roles of personal behaviors and their social and physical environments in predicting the course of genes for disease.

Authors

• Roxanne Parrott, Pennsylvania State U

• Rachel A. Smith, Pennsylvania State U

• Soo Jung Hong, Pennsylvania State U

• Amber Kelly Worthington, Pennsylvania State University