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NIH Sep 20, 1999 | R01
Genes, Disease and Stigma: A Study of Public Attitudes and Beliefs
Institution: Columbia University
FOA Number: PA-96-042
Abstract
Stigma and discrimination are recognized as potentially important social consequences of advances in genetic information. This broadly conceived study of stigma will focus on public attitudes, behavioral intentions and policy orientations. Specifically, the study will examine the impact of perceived genetic etiology on orientations toward individuals and families affected by mental illnesses. The investigators will use a multi-method research plan that includes in-depth interviews with 100 adults from 5 ethnic groups (African-, Chinese-, European-, Mexican- and Puerto-Rican-Americans) and a random-digit-dial telephone survey of the adult U.S. population, with oversamples of each of the above minority ethnic groups, as well as of persons whose families are affected by a serious mental-illness, to address the following aims:
-to assess the impact of an attributed genetic etiology on orientations toward individuals and families affected by a serious mental illness;
-to determine the characteristics of respondents (e.g., education, age, or ethnicity) that are associated with more stigmatizing attitudes and orientations;
-to examine types of information that may ameliorate any stigmatizing effects of perceived genetic etiology; and
-to assess experiences of stigma on the part of families affected my mental illness and their perceptions of the way knowledge of genetic etiology may impact the stigma they face.FUNDING AGENCY:
Funder:
NIHInstitute:
NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTEFunding Type:
R01Project Number:
R01HG001859Start Date:
Sep 20, 1999End Date:
Aug 31, 2002PROJECT TERMS:
African American, Attitude, behavioral /social science research tag, Belief, caucasian American, Chinese American, culture, disease /disorder etiology, family genetics, genetic disorder, genetic susceptibility, health care policy, human subject, Interview, Mental disorders, population survey, Prejudice, psychobiology, psychosocial separation, Public Opinion, Puerto Rican, racial /ethnic difference, Social Behavior, social psychology