My work investigates the impact of the diffusion of genomic information into clinical and public health contexts. I am particularly interested in studying genomic communication relevant to diseases or populations that are stigmatized and/or underserved. I examine these issues both in simulated clinical contexts, and online through social media platforms. I currently have several ongoing or recently completed studies that contribute to these aims. In the clinical context, my colleagues and I have mounted a study to assess the benefits and/or risks of a physician introducing obesity genomics information into clinical weight-management encounters (Weight Management Interaction Study;NHGRI protocol # 11-HG-0238). We are interested in how this information will influence patients'health-related attitudes, beliefs, behavior, and patient perceptions of stigmatization. The project also aims to determine whether a physician's patient-centered versus doctor-centered approach to a health care encounter could mitigate or amplify the potential negative and positive consequences of genomic information provision. This study is being conducted in an immersive virtual reality-based clinical simulation in the Immersive Virtual Environment Testing Unit. During this reporting year, we have drafted two manuscripts which are currently under review, and are in the process of drafting additional manuscripts. In continuing to examine and inform provision of obesity-related genomic information in clinical encounters, colleagues and I have developed a study that assesses the impact of patient emotion on these processes. Emotions such as fear and anger arise in these clinical encounters from sources like receipt of risk information and perceptions of interpersonal treatment. Theoretically, the experience of emotion is expected to influence patient interpretation and reaction to genomic information provided by a physician. We have designed a two-pronged approach using both an internet-based and an immersive virtual reality-based simulation experiment to address these processes. Data collection for the virtual reality-based simulation study has been completed. Three manuscripts are currently in preparation stemming from this project. In addition to my experimental research related to communication about genomic information in the clinic, I also investigate issues around dissemination of genomic information in online and public health-related contexts. Together with Colleen McBride, I have experimentally investigated the effect on mothers of providing family history-based obesity risk feedback with respect to their young children (NHGRI protocol # 10-HG-0076), which is described in a separate report. I have also prepared and am currently fielding a survey assessing individuals'interest in and information seeking behaviors with respect to weight management and genetics information.

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3
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2014
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Human Genome Research
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Persky, Susan; Goldring, Megan R; Cohen, Rachel W (2018) Genomics-informed weight management in primary care: anticipated public interest. Per Med 15:271-278
Bouhlal, Sofia; Abrams, Leah R; McBride, Colleen M et al. (2018) Cognitive and affective factors linking mothers' perceived weight history to child feeding. Eur J Clin Nutr :
Persky, Susan; Kistler, William D; Klein, William M P et al. (2018) Internet Versus Virtual Reality Settings for Genomics Information Provision. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw :
Koehly, Laura M; Persky, Susan; Spotts, Erica et al. (2018) Social and behavioral science priorities for genomic translation. Transl Behav Med 8:137-143
Cohen, Anne; Perozich, Alyssa; Rajan, Radha et al. (2017) Framed, Interactive Theory-Driven Texting: Effects of Message Framing on Health Behavior Change for Weight Loss. Fam Community Health 40:43-51
Persky, Susan; Ferrer, Rebecca A; Klein, William M P (2016) Genomic Information may Inhibit Weight-Related Behavior Change Inclinations Among Individuals in a Fear State. Ann Behav Med 50:452-9
Persky, Susan; Ferrer, Rebecca A; Klein, William M P (2016) Nonverbal and paraverbal behavior in (simulated) medical visits related to genomics and weight: a role for emotion and race. J Behav Med 39:804-14
Eisenberg PhD, Miriam H; Street Jr PhD, Richard L; Persky PhD, Susan (2016) ""It runs in my family …"": The association of perceived family history with body dissatisfaction and weight bias internalization among overweight women. Women Health :1-16
Beekman, Janine B; Ferrer, Rebecca A; Klein, William M P et al. (2016) Effects of perceived weight discrimination on willingness to adopt unhealthy behaviours: influence of genomic information. Psychol Health 31:334-48
Persky, Susan; Street Jr, Richard L (2015) Evaluating Approaches for Communication About Genomic Influences on Body Weight. Ann Behav Med 49:675-84

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