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Deaf genetic testing and psychological well-being in deaf adults.
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In: Journal of genetic counseling, vol 22, iss 4 (2013)
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Abstract:
Limited data suggest that enhanced self-knowledge from genetic information related to non-medical traits can have a positive impact on psychological well-being. Deaf individuals undertake genetic testing for deaf genes to increase self-knowledge. Because deafness is considered a non-medical trait by many individuals, we hypothesized that deaf individuals receiving a genetic explanation for why they are deaf will experience increased psychological well-being. We report results from a prospective, longitudinal study to determine the impact of genetic testing (GJB2, Cx26; GJB6, Cx30) on perceived personal control (PPC), anxiety, and depression in deaf adults (N = 209) assessed following pre-test genetic counseling as well as 1-month and 6-months following test result disclosure. Participants were classified as Cx positive (n = 82) or Cx negative/inconclusive (n = 127). There was significant evidence for Cx group differences in PPC and anxiety over time (PPC: Cx group*time interaction p = 0.0007; anxiety: Cx group*time interaction p = 0.002), where PPC scores were significantly higher, and anxiety scores were significantly lower for the Cx positive group relative to the negative/inconclusive group following test result disclosure. Compared to pre-test, PPC scores increased at 1-month (p = 0.07) and anxiety scores decreased at 6-months (p = 0.03) for the Cx positive group. In contrast, PPC scores decreased (p = 0.009, p < 0.0001) and anxiety scores increased (p = 0.09, p = 0.02) for the Cx negative/inconclusive group at 1- and 6-months post test result disclosure. Genetic testing for deaf genes affects the psychological well-being of deaf individuals. Increasing deaf adults' access to genetic testing may potentially enhance self-knowledge and increase psychological well-being for those who receive a genetic explanation, which could offer downstream health benefits.
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Keyword:
7.1 Individual care needs; Anxiety; Behavioral and Social Science; Brain Disorders; Clinical Sciences; Connexin 26; Connexins; Deaf; Deafness; Depression; Female; Genetic Testing; Genetics; Genetics & Heredity; Hearing loss; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Mental Health; Mind and Body; Perceived personal control; Prospective Studies; Psychological distress; Sign language; Well-being
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URL: https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4b51z9pn
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| 2 |
Deaf genetic testing and psychological well-being in deaf adults.
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|
|
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In: Journal of genetic counseling, vol 22, iss 4 (2013)
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