Journal article
Generation after generation: Exploring the psychological impact of providing genetic services through a cascading approach
Genetics in medicine, Vol.12(12), pp.808-815
12/2010
DOI: 10.1097/GIM.0b013e3181f69dbb
PMID: 20921894
Abstract
Purpose: The provision of genetic services often occurs in a cascading fashion within families experiencing inherited diseases. This study examines whether previous family experiences with genetic services influences levels of psychological well-being of family members receiving services later.
Methods: Two hundred ninety-seven persons from 38 families with Lynch syndrome completed questionnaires before receiving genetic services. Baseline levels of test-related distress, depressive symptoms, and cancer worries were assessed in relationship to the (1) amount of time elapsed since services were provided to the index case and (2) generation of the family member relative to the index case.
Results: Family members in the same generation as the index case experienced significant increases in test-related distress (P = 0.003) and cancer worry (P = 0.001) with increasing time between receipt of genetic test results by the index case and provision of services to family members. Change in the number of depressive symptoms was not significant (P = 0.17).
Conclusion: The provision of genetic services through a cascading approach significantly increases distress and worry among family members within the same generation as the index case who receive services at increasingly distant time intervals. Additional research is needed to explore social influences after the introduction of genetic services.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Generation after generation: Exploring the psychological impact of providing genetic services through a cascading approach
- Creators
- Donald W Hadley - Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandSato Ashida - Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandJean F Jenkins - Office of the Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandJean C Martin - Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandKathleen A Calzone - Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandNatalia R Kuhn - Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandColleen M McBride - Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandIlan R Kirsch - Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MarylandLaura M Koehly - Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Genetics in medicine, Vol.12(12), pp.808-815
- DOI
- 10.1097/GIM.0b013e3181f69dbb
- PMID
- 20921894
- NLM abbreviation
- Genet Med
- ISSN
- 1098-3600
- eISSN
- 1530-0366
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2010
- Academic Unit
- Injury Prevention Research Center; Public Policy Center (Archive); Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984064190702771
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