Impact of BRCA1/2 Testing on Marital Relationships
Abstract
This study examined the impact of genetic testing for breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility on marital relationships and the quality of life of partners, as well as an examination of how partner responses influence participant distress during the testing process. Participants were members of families in which a disease conferring mutation was been identified and their partners of either gender. Interviews of couples were completed by telephone prior to receiving test results, as well as 1-, 6-, and 12-months after test disclosure. Results indicated that participants who received negative results report decreases in IES scores over the six month period after disclosure of test results, while participants notified that they were carriers of the BRCA genes did not show a significant decrease in IES scores over the same time period. Partners did not evidence significant changes in either distress. Participants who rated higher levels of relationship strain associated with the testing process reported significantly more distress. Participants who rated their partners as responding in an unsupportive manner also reported more distress. Results suggested that the psychological impact of genetic testing on spouses was not significant. However, how partners respond plays a key role in how testing participants handle the genetic testing process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA404603
Entities
People
- Sharon L. Manne
Organizations
- Fox Chase Cancer Center