Predictors Of Favorable Attitudes Research Articles

Abstract B101: Knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy toward cancer genetic testing among Black women with and without breast cancer

Abstract Germline genetic testing for cancer risk offers opportunities for decision-making about screening and clinical risk management for individuals and their family members. Despite increasing availability of cancer genetic testing, Black individuals are still much less likely to receive or engage with testing compared to non-Hispanic white individuals. We sought to identify individual level factors influencing knowledge about and attitudes toward cancer genetic testing among Black women with and without breast cancer. Participants included 925 women from the Black Women’s Health Study who had previously provided a biospecimen for research and were invited to have their cancer genetic research findings confirmed via a CLIA-certified laboratory and learn their results as part of a randomized controlled trial. Prior to confirmation testing, all women completed a baseline questionnaire about personal and family history of cancer; prior genetic testing for hereditary cancer; and knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in one’s ability to use genetic information (genetics self-efficacy). We used linear regression to evaluate individual-level factors influencing cancer genetics knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy. Overall, mean knowledge score was 12.3 out of 16 (SD, 2.5); there were no differences in knowledge score between women who had a personal history of breast cancer and those who did not. While the majority of women answered most questions correctly, 20-30% of women were unable to correctly answer questions about validity of test results, clinical implications of a variant of uncertain significance, and legal protections against health insurance discrimination. Younger age, higher educational attainment, being married, and having had prior genetic testing were statistically significant predictors of higher total knowledge score. There were no differences in mean knowledge scores by first degree family history of breast cancer or personal history of breast or other cancer. Predictors of favorable attitudes and genetics self-efficacy included younger age, higher educational attainment, and being married. Women with a personal history of breast cancer had somewhat more favorable attitudes toward genetic testing compared to those with no prior history of breast cancer. In multivariable adjusted models, higher total knowledge was associated with more favorable attitudes and higher self-efficacy. In this cohort of highly educated Black women, overall cancer genetics knowledge was relatively high; however, evaluation of individual knowledge questions revealed opportunities for improvement in specific areas. Older women, those with lower educational attainment, and women who are not married or living as married may benefit from more targeted education about genetic cancer testing. Further, despite the role genetic testing currently plays in guiding cancer treatment, Black women who had breast cancer did not have higher knowledge scores than those without breast cancer and therefore may also benefit from targeted education. Citation Format: Kimberly A. Bertrand, Michelle Trevino-Talbot, Maggie Rudderman, Maureen Flynn, Howard J. Cabral, Julie R. Palmer, Catharine Wang. Knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy toward cancer genetic testing among Black women with and without breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B101.

PODCASTING ON PURPOSE: EXPLORING MOTIVATIONS FOR PODCAST USE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

ABSTRACT Despite the pervasive nature of podcasts, little research has examined college student’s affinity for and motivations to listen to podcasts. This study investigated college students’ motivations, attitudes and behaviors in association with podcasts utilizing the appreciative listening framework in conjunction with uses and gratification theory. Using a survey from two southwestern universities, this study found three motivations for podcast usage: 1. entertainment, 2. escapism, and 3. information. Further analysis revealed a lack of gender differences in motivations, but motivations varied by podcast genre. Additionally, entertainment was a strong predictor of podcast listening and both entertainment and escapism were predictors of favorable attitudes toward podcasts.

Prediction of health, education, and psychosocial professionals’ attitudes in favor of parental use of corporal punishment

BackgroundTo date, there have been few studies pertaining to the knowledge and attitudes regarding the use of corporal punishment (CP) among professionals working with parents and children. Yet, many parents turn to these professionals for advice on child discipline. ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe professionals’ legal knowledge about parental use of CP and their attitudes toward this practice. MethodA study was conducted among professionals working directly with children or their parents through an online questionnaire. ParticipantsA total of 1,758 respondents from three sectors of training (psychosocial, health, education) completed the questionnaire. ResultsThe results showed that professionals have little knowledge of the legal guidelines surrounding the use of CP in Canada. This poor knowledge as well as the perceived impacts of CP on children acted as predictors of favorable attitudes toward this disciplinary practice. According to the regression analyses, other personal and professional factors also explain a person’s approval of CP, including violence in childhood, religious practice, and sources of knowledge. The results also highlighted some findings related to the respondents’ professional sectors. ConclusionsThe study results emphasize the need to better train professionals by targeting cognitive, personal, as well as professional factors.

Attitudes towards gambling in a Canadian university sample of young adults

ABSTRACTWhile studies of gambling attitudes continue to grow among national adult populations and adolescents, no study to date has explored attitudes towards gambling among young adults (adults 18–25 years of age). We address this gap by exploring gambling attitudes using the Attitudes Towards Gambling Scale (ATGS) among a sample of 1,254 Canadian young adults from the University of Manitoba (n = 399 males, 32%). Results indicate that young adults are comparable to both adolescent and mature adults with respect to attitudes towards gambling, holding slightly negative feelings towards it as an activity, but feel individuals should retain the right to gamble despite personal risk. Regression analyses show that gambling, family/peer approval of gambling, and injunctive drinking norms of family and friends are the strongest predictors of favourable attitudes towards gambling. Given the strong roles of approval of gambling and drinking in young adults’ social environments, we recommend that research needs to more robustly address the normalization of multiple problem behaviours (drug use, deviance, etc.) among family and friends. We further recommend that therapeutic interventions be geared towards establishing new norms for young adults, for which group settings addressing multiple problem behaviours are especially helpful and cost-effective.

Predictors of Support toward Transitional Justice Process in Chilean General Population Sample

Original survey data from Chile are used (N = 1267) to study the determinants of attitudes toward transitional rituals (1991 National Truth and Reconciliation Commission). A logistic regression analysis based on this data was carried out to evaluate the work of truth commissions as the dependent variable (in terms of “approval” and “disapproval”). Results reveal that predictors of favorable attitudes toward truth commissions include emotions such as sadness and hope, TRCs’ contribution to truth and to the construction of an inclusive history (and to a lesser extent to justice), high social sharing, perception of a positive social climate, high institutional trust, and positive perception of official apologies. People supporting TRCs also agree with complementary reparation, suggesting that a positive attitude towards TRCs is negative related to denial the traumatic past.

Teaching Students with Mild Disabilities: What Affects Attitudes of Future Physical Educators?

This study assessed the association between demographic attributes (gender, age, year in school, experience with students with disabilities, perceived competence in teaching students with disabilities, and academic preparation regarding individuals with disabilities) of undergraduate physical education majors and their attitudes toward teaching students labeled educable mentally retarded (EMR), learning disabled (LD), and behaviorally disordered (BD). Future physical educators (n = 226) were asked to complete the Physical Educators’ Attitudes Toward Teaching the Handicapped questionnaire, and 174 (77%) agreed. Data were collected on the first day of classes of a 16-week semester. Results from forward stepwise multiple-regression procedures showed that perceived competence and academic preparation regarding individuals with disabilities were the best predictors of favorable attitudes in general, and for EMR and LD. Results also showed that for BD, age and year in school were the best predictors of favorable attitudes. Thus, attitudes vary as a function of disabling conditions. The results provide evidence that there is a need to promote positive attitudes toward teaching individuals with disabilities.