Integrating Theory with Education about Genetic Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder: The Effects of a Brief Online Educational Tool on Elements of the Health Belief Model

Morgan N Driver; Sally I-Chun Kuo; Jehannine Austin; Danielle M Dick

doi:10.1159/000530222

Integrating Theory with Education about Genetic Risk for Alcohol Use Disorder: The Effects of a Brief Online Educational Tool on Elements of the Health Belief Model

Complex Psychiatry. 2023 Mar 29;9(1-4):89-99. doi: 10.1159/000530222. eCollection 2023 Jan-Dec.

Authors

Morgan N Driver¹, Sally I-Chun Kuo², Jehannine Austin^{3

4}, Danielle M Dick^{2

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
² Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
³ Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
⁴ Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
⁵ Rutgers Addiction Research Center, Brain Health Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: The utility of genetic risk information relies on the assumption that individuals will use the information to change behavior to reduce risk of developing health problems. Educational interventions designed to target elements of the Health Belief Model have shown to be effective in promoting behaviors for positive outcomes.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in 325 college students to assess whether a brief, online educational intervention altered elements of the Health Belief Model that are known to be associated with motivations and intentions to change behavior. The RCT included a control condition, an intervention condition that received information about alcohol use disorder (AUD), and an intervention condition that received information about polygenic risk scores and AUD. We used t tests and ANOVA methods to compare differences in beliefs related to the Health Belief Model across study conditions and demographic characteristics.

Results: Providing educational information did not impact worry about developing AUD, perceived susceptibility and severity of developing alcohol problems, or perceived benefits and barriers of risk-reducing actions. Individuals in the condition that received educational information about polygenic risk scores and AUD reported higher perceived chance of developing AUD than individuals in the control condition (adj. p < 0.01). Sex, race/ethnicity, family history, and drinking status were associated with several components of the Health Belief Model.

Conclusion: Findings from this study demonstrate the need to better design and refine the educational information intended to accompany the return of genetic feedback for AUD to better promote risk-reducing behaviors.

Keywords: Alcohol use disorder; Health belief model; Health beliefs; Personalized medicine.

Grants and funding

No funding sources were utilized in this research study.