TY - JOUR
T1 - Parental communication of BRCA1/2 genetic test results to children
AU - Tercyak, Kenneth P.
AU - Hughes, Chanita
AU - Main, David
AU - Snyder, Carrie
AU - Lynch, Jane F.
AU - Lynch, Henry T.
AU - Lerman, Caryn
N1 - Funding Information:
Supported by Department of Defense grants DAMD17-94-J-4340 and DAMD17-94-J-4299 and Nebraska State Cigarette Tax Center and Smoking-Related Disease Program grant LB595. Preparation of this manuscript was supported by a National Institutes of Health, National Research Service Award (CA79138) from the National Cancer Institute. Portions of the research were presented at the 20th annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Diego, California, March 1999. We would like to thank the families who participated in this clinical research program.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - The aim of this study was to evaluate the likelihood, correlates, and psychological impact of parental communication to children of parents' BRCA1/2 genetic test results for breast cancer risk. Subjects were 133 adult members of high risk families. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological distress variables were assessed during a baseline telephone interview conducted prior to patient education and test result notification. Parental communication of test results to children and parental psychological distress and coping efforts were assessed 1 month post-genetic counseling and receipt of test results. Mothers (versus fathers), and persons with higher levels of baseline general distress, were significantly more likely to communicate their test results to children. Post-counseling coping efforts, both active and avoidant, were positively associated with post-counseling distress levels. However, communication of test results to children did not relate to changes in distress. In conclusion, parents with higher levels of pre-counseling general psychological distress may be more likely to communicate their genetic test results to children; however, this act does not minimize their distress and could possibly generate distress in their youngsters. Research is needed to evaluate the process and content of post-test disclosure episodes and the impact on participant, child, and family functioning.
AB - The aim of this study was to evaluate the likelihood, correlates, and psychological impact of parental communication to children of parents' BRCA1/2 genetic test results for breast cancer risk. Subjects were 133 adult members of high risk families. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological distress variables were assessed during a baseline telephone interview conducted prior to patient education and test result notification. Parental communication of test results to children and parental psychological distress and coping efforts were assessed 1 month post-genetic counseling and receipt of test results. Mothers (versus fathers), and persons with higher levels of baseline general distress, were significantly more likely to communicate their test results to children. Post-counseling coping efforts, both active and avoidant, were positively associated with post-counseling distress levels. However, communication of test results to children did not relate to changes in distress. In conclusion, parents with higher levels of pre-counseling general psychological distress may be more likely to communicate their genetic test results to children; however, this act does not minimize their distress and could possibly generate distress in their youngsters. Research is needed to evaluate the process and content of post-test disclosure episodes and the impact on participant, child, and family functioning.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0738-3991(00)00122-1
DO - 10.1016/S0738-3991(00)00122-1
M3 - Article
C2 - 11164320
AN - SCOPUS:0035160552
VL - 42
SP - 213
EP - 224
JO - Patient Education and Counseling
JF - Patient Education and Counseling
SN - 0738-3991
IS - 3
ER -