Impact of Genetic Counseling for Female First Degree Relatives of Individuals With Mental Illness

Summary

Women with a close relative who has experienced mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder often have a poor understanding of the causes of the illness, and are often very worried about the chance that any children that they have will become affected with the same illness. Often, because of this fear, these healthy women choose not to have children.

Genetic counseling is a process where information about the causes of illnesses, and about chances for family members of individuals with these illnesses to become similarly affected is provided in a supportive environment by a specially trained healthcare professional. This study will investigate whether genetic counseling can reduce perceptions of risk and stigma, and increase perceived control and knowledge about the causes of the illness, amongst women who have a first degree relative with a major mental illness.

Conditions

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar Disorder
• Schizoaffective Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Genetic Counseling

One face-to-face genetic counseling session of 1-2hours duration, with a board certified or board eligible genetic counselor which will involve, documentation of a detailed family history, discussion of: the contributors to mental illness pathogenesis, illness risk reduction strategies, chances for family members to develop mental illness (if required), supportive counseling around living with illness/risk of illness/managing illness vulnerability, and referral to support organizations as required

BEHAVIORAL

Genetic Counseling

One educational booklet that provides information about the causes of mental illnesses, and the chances for relatives of affected individuals to develop mental illness will be provided to participants.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of British Columbia

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jehannine Austin, PhD, CCGC, CGC · University of British Columbia

• Catriona Hippman · University of British Columbia

• Erin Michalak · University of British Columbia

• William Honer, MD · University of British Columbia

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

19 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2008-08-31

Primary Completion

2011-11-30

Completion

2011-11-30

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations