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Journal of Genetic Counseling

, Volume 15, Issue 4, pp 253–265 | Cite as

What Do We Tell the Children? Contrasting the Disclosure Choices of Two HD Families Regarding Risk Statusand Predictive Genetic Testing

  • Kathryn Holt
Original Research
First Online:

Above all else, predictive genetic testing provides information. Gaining insight into the psychosocial effects of this information is a primary goal of genetic counseling. For individuals utilizing predictive genetic testing, the acquisition of genetic information requires choices regarding disclosure within the family. This study uses a phenomenological methodology to explore the contrasting choices of two sets of HD parents regarding the disclosure of genetic risk status to their children. Additionally, the children (now adults) discuss their lived experience growing up with contrasting disclosure dynamics, and their current views regarding the use of predictive genetic testing for themselves. The primary finding of this study is that all of the adult children now express preference for early disclosure of genetic risk and an open/supportive communication style regarding HD. This finding has value for clinicians working with HD families who must make decisions regarding disclosure issues related to predictive genetic testing.

KEY WORDS:

communication disclosure family communication genetic counseling genetic testing Huntington's Disease qualitative predictive genetic testing risk statusIntroduction. 
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Notes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

No grant or financial support was provided for this study.

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Copyright information

© National Society of Genetic Counselors, Inc. 2006

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Harold Abel School of PsychologyCapella UniversityMinneapolisUSA
  2. 2.PhD, LPC, NCC, 221 E. AdamsTaylorvilleIllinoisUSA

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