Subtle Psychosocial Sequelae of Genetic Test Results

Abstract

Research using standard psychological mea-sures has not revealed a dramatic psychological reaction to receipt of predictive genetic test results. Qualitative research, however, indicates that there are subtle psycho-social sequelae of receiving such results that should be considered by individuals and their clinicians prior to testing. Among these more subtle, but burdensome seque-lae of testing are (i) changed social relationships (including relationships with clinicians), (ii) the impact of test results on important life decisions (e.g., career and reproductive choices), and (iii) altered self-concept among those tested. This review examines these more subtle sequelae, as well as the inadequacy of existing quantitative measures for assessing their impact, and discusses the relevance of such sequelae for decision-making about predictive genetic testing.