Investigating Uncertainty in Genetic Counseling Encounters: Managing Information About Genetic Cancer Risk

Abstract

The Theory of Motivated Information Management (TMIM) was used to investigate how individuals at increased risk of developing hereditary cancer seek information from genetic counselors. Results show the TMIM model fit the data well in predicting participants’ intentions to seek information from genetic counselors. Participants felt an uncertainty discrepancy that elicited feelings of anxiety, which in turn negatively predicted both outcome expectancies and efficacy assessments. Efficacy assessments, but not anxiety, significantly predicted participants’ intentions to seek information from a genetic counselor in the future. Findings showed no significant relationship between outcome expectancies and efficacy assessments. One implication for genetic counselors is the need to more closely monitor emotional response to genetic disease risk—whether that emotional response be positive or negative—as that response may influence information-seeking intentions. Further, genetic counselors might also pay more attention to building efficacy for themselves (making patients feel the counselor is more credible) and their patients (increasing patient ability to communicate effectively about genetic disease risk). Analysis also extends TMIM theory by showing that in a relationship where information exchange is the primary function the model still showed good fit. However, outcome expectancies functioned differently than in previous tests of the model.