Preferences Regarding Targeted Education and Risk Assessment in People with a Family History of Major Depressive Disorde
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Preferences Regarding Targeted Education and Risk Assessment in People with a Family History of Major Depressive Disorder Veronica Quinn & Bettina Meiser & Alex Wilde & Zoe Cousins & Kristine Barlow-Stewart & Philip B. Mitchell & Peter R. Schofield
Received: 1 February 2013 / Accepted: 17 December 2013 # National Society of Genetic Counselors, Inc. 2014
Abstract Genetic testing for susceptibility to major depressive disorder (MDD) is not available for clinical use at present. Given this, family history remains the best predictor for development of MDD, and family-history-based risk assessment and information about familial aspects of MDD may be useful to clients at increased risk for MDD attending for genetic counseling. This study uses a mixed-methods design to assess Veronica Quinn and Bettina Meiser are joint first authors. V. Quinn : B. Meiser (*) : Z. Cousins Psychosocial Research Group, Prince of Wales Clinical School, The University of New South Wales, Level 4, Lowy Research Centre C25NSW 2052 Sydney, Australia e-mail: [email protected] A. Wilde : P. B. Mitchell School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052 Sydney, Australia A. Wilde : P. B. Mitchell Black Dog Institute, RandwickNSW 2031 Sydney, Australia K. Barlow-Stewart Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Sydney, Australia K. Barlow-Stewart Centre for Genetics Education NSW Health, Royal North Shore Hospital, St LeonardsNSW 2065 Sydney, Australia P. B. Mitchell : P. R. Schofield Brain Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052 Sydney, Australia P. R. Schofield Neuroscience Research Australia, RandwickNSW 2031 Sydney, Australia P. R. Schofield School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052 Sydney, Australia
the information needs and preferences of people at increased familial risk for MDD. Telephone interviews were conducted with 23 individuals, who had at least one first-degree relative with MDD and were recruited through advertisements placed on depression education websites. The most preferred way to access depression information was via the internet (87 % of participants), although this preference may have been due to the internet-based recruitment method. The second most preferred dissemination strategy (56 %) was face-to-face delivery through a health professional, including genetic counselors. Individuals reported a need for information about etiology and development of MDD, reproductive decision-making, early detection of symptoms and risk-reducing strategies. Nearly all participants expressed an interest in risk assessment. The present study found evidence of a high level of interest for information targeted to people at increased familial risk for MDD. Genetic counselors are likely to be called upon increasingly to provide supportive counseling to assist clients at increased familial risk in interpreting and contextualizing such information once it becomes available. Keywords Major depression . Family history . Attitudes . Education . Genetic counseling . Risk
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