Effects of undergoing multiplex genetic susceptibility testing on parent attitudes towards testing their children

Abstract

Background: Parents may pursue common disease risk information about themselves via multiplex genetic susceptibility testing (MGST) for their children. Purpose: To prospectively assess whether parents who received MGST disclosed their test results to their child, intended to change the child's health habits, or have the child tested. Methods: Eighty parents who opted for freeMGSTcompleted an online survey about a child in their household before undergoingMGSTand a follow-up telephone survey 3months after receiving results. Results: Few parents (21 %) disclosed results to the child. Undergoing MGST was unrelated to intentions to change the child's health habits but did increase parental willingness to test the child. Greater willingness to test a child was associated with positive attitudes toward pediatric genetic testing and intentions to change the child's health habits. Conclusion: The experience of receiving MGST had little impact on parents' perceptions or behaviors related to their minor child. © The Society of Behavioral Medicine 2013.