Journal article
The role of disease perceptions and results sharing in psychological adaptation after genetic susceptibility testing: the REVEAL Study
European journal of human genetics : EJHG, Vol.18(12), pp.1296-1301
2010
DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2010.119
PMCID: PMC2988099
PMID: 20664629
Abstract
This study evaluates the extent to which psychological adaptation (validated measures of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and test-specific distress) after genetic susceptibility testing is influenced by changes in beliefs about Alzheimer's disease (AD) and sharing of test results with others. Adult children of AD patients (N=269) from a randomized clinical trial involving genetic testing for apolipoprotein E (APOE) provided information before, as well as 6 weeks and 12 months after results disclosure. The levels of adaptation varied highly among participants at 12-month assessment. Participants who learned that they were ɛ4 negative (lower risk) had a reduction in perceived risk and concern about developing AD compared with those who learned that they were ɛ4 positive. Those who received results through an extended educational protocol (three in-person visits) had a larger decline in AD concern than those in a condensed protocol (educational brochure and two in-person visits). Increase in AD concern 6 weeks after disclosure was associated with increase in depression scores (b=0.20, P<0.01) and anxiety levels (b=0.20, P<0.01), and higher distress associated with AD genetic testing (b=0.18, P=0.02) 1 year after testing. Increase in perceived risk (b=0.16, P=0.04) was also associated with higher AD genetic testing distress. Sharing the test results with health professionals and friends (but not family) was associated with decrease in depression (b = −0.11, P = 0.05) and anxiety levels (b=−0.16, P<0.01), respectively after a year. Enhancing discussion with regard to risks and concerns about AD during pretesting counseling and obtaining support through sharing the results after testing may help facilitate test recipients' long-term psychological adaptation.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The role of disease perceptions and results sharing in psychological adaptation after genetic susceptibility testing: the REVEAL Study
- Creators
- Sato ASHIDA - Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, United StatesLaura M KOEHLY - Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, United StatesJ. Scott ROBERTS - Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, United StatesClara A CHEN - Data Coordinating Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United StatesSusan HIRAKI - Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United StatesRobert C GREEN - Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- European journal of human genetics : EJHG, Vol.18(12), pp.1296-1301
- DOI
- 10.1038/ejhg.2010.119
- PMID
- 20664629
- PMCID
- PMC2988099
- NLM abbreviation
- Eur J Hum Genet
- ISSN
- 1018-4813
- eISSN
- 1476-5438
- Publisher
- Nature Publishing Group; Basingstoke
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2010
- Academic Unit
- Injury Prevention Research Center; Public Policy Center (Archive); Community and Behavioral Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984064183902771
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