Genetik test yaptırma isteği ne zaman artar: olumlu tutumlar, sağlık bilgisi edinme isteği, kanser endişesi ve ailedeki tecrübeler

Genetic testing can identify the vulnerability of individuals toward certain illnesses long time before their emergence. Although advances in this method offer various early prevention opportunities for serious illnesses including some types of cancer, individuals may refrain from learning their individual risks due to mortality salience. This study aimed to develop intervention strategies via construal level manipulation and symbolic consumption consideration to examine differing coping strategies, and reviewed individual differences related to cancer risk perception. Results showed that neither construal level manipulation nor consideration of symbolic consumption was effective to lead individuals to different coping strategies for the study sample. However, individual differences in terms of social cognition, attitudes, and demographics were identified for increased intention to take genetic testing. Decision tree analyses revealed that being anxious for getting cancer was a motivating factor for genetic test intention; whereas reluctance to learn individual health information impeded this intention. Moreover individuals with positive attitudes for getting genetic test and, witnessing a family member with cancer were found to have higher intention for getting genetic testing. These findings can be directive for further research and generating effective communications for increasing genetic test intention.