The classification of mobile (cell) phone use as a possible carcinogen: investigating readiness for positive behavioural change in young people — ASN Events
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The classification of mobile (cell) phone use as a possible carcinogen: investigating readiness for positive behavioural change in young people (#652)

Hayley S Whitford 1 2 , Linley A Denson 2 , Melissa J Bond 2 3 , Kathryn L Collins 2 3
  1. Cancer Council Australia, Sydney, Surry Hills, NSW, Australia
  2. School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  3. Psychology Department, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Aims: To assess young peoples’ readiness for positive behavioural change to mobile phone use, following a reading-based intervention of the Interphone Study; the largest, international case-control study investigating the link between mobile phones and brain cancer. Methods: The intervention was exposure to the Interphone Study abstract, interpretations by well-known organisations, and expert and community opinions in national newspapers, before assessment of readiness for change. For adequate power, 100 participants were required, and 242 completed a cross-sectional, online questionnaire including standardised pre-assessment of risk-attitude, optimistic bias, illness worry, and time preference. Study-specific questions included those on demographics, health and lifestyle. Results: High exposure (≥ 30 minutes of calls per day) and low exposure groups evidenced similar readiness for change (p = .17, φ = .09); some indicating pre-study changes to mobile use. Risk-aversion in the health/safety (p = .003, φ = .20) and ethical (p = .02, φ = .16) domains was associated with greater readiness for change. Higher illness worry (p = .07, φ = .12) and lower optimistic bias (p = .13, φ = .10) showed non-significant, small effects on change, however, time preference (p = .96, φ = .02) showed no effect. A significant (p = .000) logistic regression including comprehension, illness worry, and risk-attitude to health/safety and ethical domains accounted for between 9.6% (Cox & Snell R2) and 12.8% (Nagelkerke R2) variability with one individually significant predictor; comprehension (p = .002, 95% CI 1.16-1.90). Conclusions: Recent information about possible carcinogenicity of mobile phone use appeared to permeate these students’ behaviour before commencement of this study. High exposure to risk (mobile phone calls) did not impact readiness for change, but risk-aversion in health and ethical domains did. Comprehension of the Interphone Study evidence was the most prominent predictor of change, supporting education as paramount to establishing health-enhancing behaviours.