Perceived Responsibility to Initiate Family Health History Discussions among College Women Associated with Individuals Diagnosed with Heart Disease

Abstract

Objectives: To examine young women's perceived responsibility for initiating family health history discussion with their primary care providers when associated with individuals with heart disease.Methods: Data were obtained from an internet-based survey administered to 232 young women enrolled at a large university. Exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to relate these women's health beliefs to their perceived responsibility for initiating family health history discussion with their physicians.Results: Heart disease self-risk factors were positively related (β = 0.21, p = 0.005) to the physician being responsible for initiating family health history discussion. Motivation from friends and acquaintances to obtain family health history was positively related (β = -0.17, p = 0.022) to the woman being responsible for initiating family health history discussion. Conclusion:Friends and social networks play an important role in how young women perceive their responsibility for initiating family health history discussion with their primary care providers.