Association between temporal orientation and attitudes about BRCA1/2 testing among women of African descent with family histories of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have identified specific attitudes (pros and cons) about BRCA testing held by women of African descent that are associated with decisions to participate in testing. These testing attitudes may be determined, in part, by temporal orientation, or how one perceives the significance of events and the consequences of their actions in terms of past, present, and future. The current study explored the relationship between temporal orientation and pros and cons of BRCA testing among 140 women of African descent with a family history suggestive of a genetic mutation predisposing to breast cancer.

METHODS

Participants completed measures of temporal orientation and genetic testing attitudes.

RESULTS

Multivariate analyses indicated that future orientation was positively associated with perceived pros of testing. Additional analyses revealed significant associations between temporal orientation and specific item subsets related to the negative and positive impact of testing on family and personal control over one's health.

CONCLUSION

These results support an association between temporal orientation and attitudes about BRCA testing among women of African descent with family histories of breast cancer.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Findings support exploration of temporal orientation in future research on BRCA testing decisions among women of African descent and this construct's importance in developing decision aids and tailoring genetic counseling.