Question | Likert scale, mean ± SD | No. (%) of participants | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Risk seeking | Neutral | Risk averse | |||
1. | I think I take good care of my body.* | 5.1 ± 1.4 | 1042 (15.4) | 1176 (17.3) | 4562 (67.3) |
2. | I don't want to have to consider the consequences for my health in everything that I do. | 3.5 ± 1.7 | 3626 (53.5) | 1222 (18.0) | 1932 (28.5) |
3. | It is important to me that I organize my life so that I will later enjoy good health.* | 5.4 ± 1.4 | 700 (10.3) | 1011 (14.9) | 5069 (74.8) |
4. | If it concerns my health, then I see myself as someone who avoids risks.* | 4.9 ± 1.4 | 1079 (15.9) | 1409 (20.8) | 4292 (63.3) |
5. | Uncertainty about the consequences of a medical intervention is, in general, part of the game. | 3.5 ± 1.6 | 3476 (51.3) | 1715 (25.3) | 1589 (23.4) |
6. | My health means everything to me.* | 5.4 ± 1.5 | 822 (12.1) | 925 (13.6) | 5033 (74.2) |
7. | When I look back at my past, I think that, in general, I did take risks with my health. | 3.3 ± 1.8 | 3898 (57.5) | 1076 (15.9) | 1806 (26.6) |
8. | If the doctor cannot offer me certainty about the possible consequences of a medical intervention, then I would rather not undergo it.* | 4.5 ± 1.6 | 1721 (25.4) | 1733 (25.6) | 3326 (49.1) |
9. | Safety first, where my health is concerned.* | 5.4 ± 1.4 | 714 (10.5) | 991(14.6) | 5075 (74.9) |
10. | To enjoy good health now and in the future, I am prepared to forego a lot.* | 4.7 ± 1.5 | 1321 (19.5) | 1531 (22.6) | 3928 (57.9) |
11. | People say that I take risks with my health because of my habits. | 4.3 ± 1.9 | 2432 (35.9) | 1131 (16.7) | 3217 (47.4) |
12. | I'm not very fussy about my health. | 4.6 ±1 .7 | 1894 (27.9) | 1383 (20.4) | 3503 (51.7) |
13. | In general I would estimate that I would not have much of a problem with undergoing a high risk operation. | 4.0 ± 1.8 | 2710 (40.0) | 1559 (23.0) | 2511 (37.0) |
Total | 58.7 ± 9.6 | 881 (13.0) | 949 (14.0) | 4949 (73.0) |
Note: Each question is scored on a 7-point Likert scale, from 1 (agree) to 7 (disagree). The sum of the score for each question provides a total score between 13 and 91, where a higher score indicates a more averse attitude toward risk.
*Question is reverse coded.