Interpersonal values of healthy subjects who volunteer for phase I clinical trials

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Almeida, L (Author) Other; Vaz Da Silva, M (Author) FMUP; Coelho, R (Author) Other; Albino Teixeira, A (Author) FMUP; soares-da-silva, p (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Pharmaceutical Medicine

Vol. 23

Pages: 299-303

ISSN: 1178-2595

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-SGY

DOI: 10.2165/11531710-000000000-00000

Abstract (EN): Background: Participation in phase I studies of experimental pharmaceuticals depends on informed consent; thus the personality and psychological characteristics of the recruited subjects may have an influence on their decision to volunteer. Here, we report a study aiming to assess whether 'interpersonal values' (conditioning the direct interactions with others) of healthy subjects who volunteer for phase I studies are different from the general population. Methods: The study population consisted of 138 consecutive healthy subjects who volunteered for phase I studies. The subjects' interpersonal values were assessed using the Survey of Interpersonal Values (SIV) and were compared with the general population. SIV contains six scales that characterize the following values: Support (being treated with understanding, receiving encouragement from other people, being treated with kindness and consideration); Conformity (doing what is socially correct, following regulations closely, doing what is accepted and proper, being a conformist); Recognition (being looked up to and admired, being considered important, attracting favourable notice, achieving recognition); Independence (being free to make one's own decisions, having the right to do whatever one wants to do, being able to do things in one's own way); Benevolence (doing things for other people, sharing with others, helping the unfortunate, being generous) and Leadership (being in charge of other people, having authority over others). Results: As compared with the general population, phase I study participants reported higher levels of importance on the values of support (p<0.001), independence (p<0.001) and benevolence (p<0.001), and significantly lower levels of importance on the values of conformity (p<0.001) and leadership (p<0.001). Conclusion: Interpersonal values of participants in phase I studies differed from the general population. Further studies are needed to assess the possible influence of the personality and psychological characteristics of healthy volunteers on the study outcomes and on the interpretation and generalizability of the results.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific