In this project, we test a theoretical model for genomic/genetic medical decision-making (GMD) that formalizes why spouses’ beliefs about genetics predict (a) their within-couple communication about the genetic information and (b) what information they share and with whom (e.g., insurance companies). In turn, their within-couple communication and external disclosures may shape patients’ and spouses’ overall wellbeing (health status, preventative behaviors, stress, social networks, insurance coverage, and marital satisfaction) and protective behaviors (nutrition and exercise). To date, the interdependence in couples’ beliefs and within-couple influences in GMD (i.e., communication, disclosure-decisions, and wellbeing) has been unexamined. By gathering information from both spouses, we can identify intrapersonal, interpersonal, and couple-level influences in GMD. We will identify sub-groups of couples based on their genetic beliefs, conversation patterns, and wellbeing. This project is innovative in its use and development of theory, and its employment of dyadic analysis, causal inference, and latent class analysis to analyze the findings.

Researchers:

Dr. Rachel Smith, Principal Investigator, Penn State, ras57@psu.edu

Dr. Roxanne Parrott, Co-Investigator, Penn State, rlp18@psu.edu

Dr. Donna Coffman, Co-Investigator, Penn State, dlc30@psu.edu

Dr. Mary Poss, Co-Investigator, Penn State, mposs@bx.psu.edu

Sara Wienke, Co-Investigator, Alpha-1 Foundation