https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105317750253 Journal of Health Psychology 1–9 © The Author(s) 2018 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1359105317750253 journals.sagepub.com/home/hpq Introduction Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mor- tality in the United States (American Cancer Society, 2016). Although prevention through management of risk factors (i.e. smoking cessa- tion) is the most effective strategy for reducing the burden of lung cancer, screening improves early detection, when cancer may be more treat- able (National Lung Screening Trial Research Team et al., 2011). In 2013, the US Preventive Services Task Force revised its lung cancer screening guideline to recommend annual low- dose computed tomography (LDCT) for high- risk adults (Moyer and USPSTF, 2014), prompting several professional organizations to issue similar recommendations. All lung cancer screening guidelines recommend, and Medicare coverage requires (The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2015), that shared deci- sion making between patients and providers occur before screening. This process aims for patients to (a) understand the risk and serious- ness of lung cancer; (b) understand lung cancer Does need for cognitive closure explain individual differences in lung cancer screening? A brief report Sarah E Lillie 1 , Steven S Fu 1,2 , Angela E Fabbrini 1 , Kathryn L Rice 1 , Barbara A Clothier 1 , Elizabeth Doro 1 , Anne C Melzer 1 and Melissa R Partin 1,2 Abstract The need for cognitive closure describes the extent to which a person, faced with a decision, prefers any answer in lieu of continued uncertainty. This construct may be relevant in lung cancer screening, which can both reduce and increase uncertainty. We examined whether individual differences in need for cognitive closure are associated with Veterans’ completion of lung cancer screening using a self-administered survey (N = 361). We also assessed whether need for cognitive closure moderates an association between screening completion and lung cancer risk perception. Contrary to our main hypothesis, high need for cognitive closure Veterans were not more likely to complete lung cancer screening and need for cognitive closure did not have a moderating role. Keywords attitudes, decision making, lung cancer screening, need for cognitive closure, uncertainty 1 Minneapolis VA Health Care System, USA 2 University of Minnesota, USA Corresponding author: Sarah E Lillie, Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, One Veterans Drive (152), Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. Email: sarah.lillie@va.gov 750253HPQ 0 0 10.1177/1359105317750253Journal of Health PsychologyLillie et al. research-article 2018 Article