Are perceptions of a family history of heart disease related to health-related attitudes and behaviours?

Hunt, K. , Davison, C., Emslie, C. and Ford, G. (2000) Are perceptions of a family history of heart disease related to health-related attitudes and behaviours? Health Education Research, 15(2), pp. 131-143. (doi: 10.1093/her/15.2.131)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/her/15.2.131

Abstract

It has been argued that perceptions of familial tendencies to disease are common and important in decisions about health-related behaviours. Indeed, it has been suggested that the increased `geneticization' of society may lead to an increased fatalism about health, which could undermine initiatives aimed at reducing coronary-prone behaviour. To date, much of the research on lay perceptions of inheritance has been based on people at high risk of particular genetic disorders or on qualitative research with small general population samples. Here we investigate perceptions of a family history of heart disease, using quantitative techniques, to test hypotheses about the relationship between a perceived family history (pFH), coronary `candidacy' and adherence to health promotion advice which were raised by earlier anthropological work. We find that reported perceptions of a family history of heart disease are common, particularly amongst women in middle-age. In isolation a pFH is not related to current smoking; however, the odds of smoking are lower for those with a pFH of heart disease when account is also taken of other attitudinal factors (the `salience' of heart disease and the strength of adherence to conventional coronary health promotion).

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hunt, Professor Kathryn and Emslie, Dr Carol
Authors: Hunt, K., Davison, C., Emslie, C., and Ford, G.
Subjects:R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Centre for Population and Health Sciences
Journal Name:Health Education Research
ISSN:0268-1153

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