Investigating the impact of gender and existential anxiety on the willingness to participate in point-of-care testing for cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Two studies (N = 136) investigated whether or not gender or mortality reminders would impact middle-aged and older adults' appraisal of a novel point-of-care testing device for cardiovascular disease risk. Middle-aged females were significantly more likely to positively appraise and commit to using the device compared to middle-aged males, but there were no such gender differences among older adults. Both studies also failed to support hypotheses that existential concerns would lead to avoidance of the device. When taken together, the findings suggest that similar devices may beneficially affect screening behaviours and underscore a need to target middle-aged males for cardiovascular screening interventions.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; existential anxiety; gender; point-of-care testing; screening.