Psychosocial Predictors of Interest in Prenatal Genetic Screening

The purpose of the study was to identify psychosocial predictors of interest in prenatal genetic testing. Analysis of data from 886 responses in the 1996 Louisville Metropolitan Survey indicate that factors such as demographic characteristics and scores on health locus of control that predict utilization of other preventive health care are less applicable to predicting attitudes toward genetic testing. Regression analyses indicated that political orientation, identification with religion, and attitudes against abortion predicted less favorable responses to a question about prenatal genetic testing. Abortion attitudes were particularly strong indicators of respondents' stated interests in testing. The findings have practical implications in terms of promoting preventive health care. Personal values may lead individuals to believe that prenatal testing leads to the intention of abortion.