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Merz S, Jaehn P, Pischon T, Fischer B, Wirkner K, Rach S, Guenther K, Obi N, Holmberg C. Investigating people's attitudes towards participating in longitudinal health research: an intersectionality-informed perspective. Int J Equity Health 2023; 22:23. [PMID: 36721141 PMCID: PMC9887766 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-022-01807-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence suggests that participation proportions in longitudinal health research vary according to sex/gender, age, social class, or migration status. Intersectionality scholarship purports that such social categories cannot be understood in isolation and makes visible the co-dependent nature of the social determinants of health and illness. This paper uses an intersectionality-informed approach in order to expand the understanding of why people participate in health research, and the impact of intersecting social structures and experiences on these attitudes. METHODS A sample of 80 respondents who had previously either accepted or declined an invitation to participate in the German National Cohort (NAKO) participated in our interview study. Interviews were semi-structured and contained both narrative elements and more structured probes. Data analysis proceeded in two steps: first, the entire data set was analysed thematically (separately for participants and non-participants); second, key themes were compared across self-reported sex/gender, age group and migration status to identify differences and commonalities. RESULTS Respondents' attitudes towards study participation can be categorised into four themes: wanting to make a contribution, seeking personalised health information, excitement and feeling chosen, and seeking social recognition. Besides citing logistical challenges, non-participants narrated adverse experiences with or attitudes towards science and the healthcare system that deterred them from participating. A range of social experiences and cultural value systems shaped such attitudes; in particular, this includes the cultural authority of science as an arbiter of social questions, transgressing social categories and experiences of marginalisation. Care responsibilities, predominantly borne by female respondents, also impacted upon the decision to take part in NAKO. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that for participants, health research constitutes a site of distinction in the sense of making a difference and being distinct or distinguishable, whereas non-participants inhabited an orientation towards science that reflected their subjective marginalisation through science. No clear relationship can thereby be presumed between social location and a particular attitude towards study participation; rather, such attitudes transgress and challenge categorical boundaries. This challenges the understanding of particular populations as more or less disadvantaged, or as more or less inclined to participate in health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibille Merz
- grid.473452.3Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Hochstr. 15, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
| | - Philipp Jaehn
- grid.473452.3Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Hochstr. 15, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany ,grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Faculty of Health Sciences, joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus – Senftenberg, Brandenburg Medical School, University of Potsdam, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Tobias Pischon
- grid.419491.00000 0001 1014 0849Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Molecular Epidemiology Research Group, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany ,grid.419491.00000 0001 1014 0849Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Biobank Technology Platform, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany ,grid.484013.a0000 0004 6879 971XBerlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Core Facility Biobank, Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Straße 2, 10178 Berlin, Germany ,grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitépl. 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Beate Fischer
- grid.7727.50000 0001 2190 5763University of Regensburg, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Wirkner
- LIFE – Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Rach
- grid.418465.a0000 0000 9750 3253Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Achterstraße 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Guenther
- grid.418465.a0000 0000 9750 3253Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Achterstraße 30, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Nadia Obi
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christine Holmberg
- grid.473452.3Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Hochstr. 15, 14770 Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany ,grid.11348.3f0000 0001 0942 1117Faculty of Health Sciences, joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus – Senftenberg, Brandenburg Medical School, University of Potsdam, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
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Perceptions about Research Participation among Individuals at Risk and Individuals with Premanifest Huntington's Disease: A Survey Conducted by the European Huntington Association. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11080815. [PMID: 34442459 PMCID: PMC8400079 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11080815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been great progress in Huntington's disease (HD) research. Yet, effective treatments to halt disease before the onset of disabling symptoms are still unavailable. Scientific breakthroughs require an active and lasting commitment from families. However, they are traditionally less involved and heard in studies. Accordingly, the European Huntington Association (EHA) surveyed individuals at risk (HDRisk) and with premanifest HD (PreHD) to determine which factors affect their willingness to participate in research. Questions assessed research experience and knowledge, information sources, reasons for involvement and noninvolvement, and factors preventing and facilitating participation. The survey included 525 individuals, of which 68.8% never participated in studies and 38.6% reported limited research knowledge. Furthermore, 52% trusted patient organizations to get research information. Reasons for involvement were altruistic and more important than reasons for noninvolvement, which were related to negative emotions. Obstacles included time/financial constraints and invasive procedures, while professional support was seen as a facilitator. PreHD individuals reported less obstacles to research participation than HDRisk individuals. Overall, a high motivation to participate in research was noted, despite limited experience and literacy. This motivation is influenced by subjective and objective factors and, importantly, by HD status. Patient organizations have a key role in fostering motivation through education and support.
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