Associations between the Willingness to Donate Samples to Biobanks and Selected Psychological Variables

Abstract

Over the past few decades, there has been a dynamic development of biobanks collecting human biological material and data. Advances in biomedical research based on biobanks, however, are highly dependent on the successful enrolment and participation of human subjects. Therefore, it is crucial to recognise those factors affecting the willingness of individuals to participate in biomedical research. There are very few studies pointing to the role of trust, preferred values and specific psychological factors. The aim of our study was the analysis of the most significant relationships between selected moral and psychological variables (i.e., preferred values, types of trust and personality) and willingness to donate biological material to biobanks. The research was carried out on a Polish representative national sample of 1100 people over 18 years of age. Statistical methods with regression models were used during the analyses. The willingness to donate samples to a biobank was associated with different types of trust and specific values. Based on regression analysis, the most important factors related to the willingness to donate material to biobanks seemed to be (1) trust towards scientists and doctors and (2) selected preferred values such as knowledge, self-development and tradition. Other values or personality traits did not seem to be as important in this context. The obtained results can be useful in building the social responsibility of biobankers and scientists, issuing more appropriate opinions by research ethics committees and planning better communication strategies between participants and biobanks.

When Biobanks Meet Religion: Association Between Religiosity and Attitudes of Polish Medical Students Toward Biobanking of Human Biological Material for Research Purposes

“…While some studies did not find a relationship between religious beliefs and donors’ willingness to donate (Merdad et al, 2017 ; Pawlikowski et al, 2022 ; Pulley et al, 2008 ; Singh et al, 2022 ), this study has identified that religion can play a crucial—albeit indirect—role in shaping future HCPs’ attitudes toward biobanking. Thus, it supports observation made by Machin et al’ ( 2020 ) who stresses the complexity of donation system and situate various body parts and body products within the hierarchy of systems involved in the donation process (tissues and cells, organs, biological systems, the person, family, community, culture, society, and nation) and stress that faith and culture are among the most important dimensions that influence people’s decision to donate.…”

“…Simultaneously, although socioecological context has been recognized as an important component that can influence the public’s attitudes toward biobanking, previous research focused on the influence of various demographic, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, or personality traits (Domaradzki & Pawlikowski, 2019 ; Pawlikowski et al, 2022 ; Sedlár & Grežo, 2022 ). Meanwhile, one key factor that can affect biobanks is religion (Eisenhauer & Arslanian-Engoren, 2016 ; Toh et al, 2021 ; Yeary et al, 2020 ).…”

Perceptions, attitudes, and willingness of the public in low- and middle-income countries of the Arab region to participate in biobank research

“…Of the variables studied, one included trust in doctors and scientists. [ 32 ]. Similarly, Iott and colleagues showed that patients’ trust in physicians is associated with their information-sharing concerns or behaviors [ 33 ].…”

Perspectives, Attitudes, and Willingness to Participate Toward Biobank Research of the Public in the Arab Region

“…Pawlikowski and colleagues explored the associations between the willingness to donate samples to biobanks and selected psychological variables. These variables included trust in doctors and scientists, a tendency towards risk, certain personality traits, a sense of and searching for meaning in life, and preferred values such as work, helping others, travels, personal development, tradition, and knowledge [40].…”