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Community interest in predictive genetic testing for susceptibility to major depressive disorder in a large national sample

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 December 2010

A. Wilde ,
B. Meiser ,
P. B. Mitchell ,
D. Hadzi-Pavlovic  and
P. R. Schofield
A. Wilde*
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
B. Meiser
Affiliation:
Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
P. B. Mitchell
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia Brain Sciences UNSW, Sydney, Australia
D. Hadzi-Pavlovic
Affiliation:
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Black Dog Institute, Sydney, Australia
P. R. Schofield
Affiliation:
Brain Sciences UNSW, Sydney, Australia Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr A. Wilde, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Black Dog Institute Building, Hospital Road, Randwick, NSW, Australia 2031. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Despite international concern about unregulated predictive genetic testing, there are surprisingly few data on both the determinants of community interest in such testing and its psychosocial impact.

Method

A large population-based public survey with community-dwelling adults (n=1046) ascertained through random digit dialling. Attitudes were assessed by structured interviews.

Results

The study found strong interest in predictive genetic testing for a reported susceptibility to depression. Once the benefits and disadvantages of such testing had been considered, there was significantly greater interest in seeking such a test through a doctor (63%) compared to direct-to-consumer (DTC; 40%) (p<0.001). Personal history of mental illness [odds ratio (OR) 2.58, p<0.001], self-estimation of being at higher than average risk for depression (OR 1.92, p<0.001), belief that a genetic component would increase rather than decrease stigma (OR 1.62, p<0.001), and endorsement of benefits of genetic testing (OR 3.47, p<0.001) significantly predicted interest in having such a test.

Conclusions

Despite finding attitudes that genetic links to mental illness would increase rather than decrease stigma, we found strong community acceptance of depression risk genotyping, even though a predisposition to depression may only manifest upon exposure to stressful life events. Our results suggest that there will be a strong demand for predictive genetic testing.

Keywords

Direct-to-consumer testingmajor depressive disorderpredictive genetic testingpsychiatric geneticspublic opinion
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 41 , Issue 8 , August 2011 , pp. 1605 - 1613
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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