Darren Mays1, Tiffani A DeMarco1, George Luta2, Beth N Peshkin1, Andrea F Patenaude3, Katherine A Schneider4, Judy E Garber4, Kenneth P Tercyak1. 1. Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center. 2. Department of Biostatistics, Bioinformatics, and Biomathematics, Cancer Prevention & Control Program, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center. 3. Department of Psychosocial Oncology & Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 4. Center for Cancer Genetics & Prevention, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of dyadic parenting relationships on psychological distress among mothers tested for BRCA1/2 genetic mutations and their untested partners. METHODS: Data were from a prospective study of mothers suspected to be at risk for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer who underwent genetic counseling and BRCA1/2 testing and their untested parenting partners (n = 109 parenting dyads). Participants completed assessments before and 1 month after genetic testing. Structural equation modeling was used to examine relationships among mothers' and partners' psychological distress, decisional conflict surrounding communication of test results to their offspring, and the parent-child communication relationship. Psychological distress was measured using items modified from the Brief Symptom Inventory. RESULTS: Among mothers, greater psychological distress (B = 0.29, p < .001) and poorer parent-child communication (B = -0.12, p < .01) at baseline predicted greater distress at follow-up. Among partners, greater distress at baseline predicted greater distress at follow-up (B = 0.67, p < .001). Mother and partner decisional conflict at baseline were equally associated with the other dyad member's distress at follow-up (B = 1.17, p < .01), but not their own distress. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that conflicted decision-making over family communication of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer genetic test results for one member of a parenting dyad adversely affects the other dyad member's psychological well-being. Interventions to improve outcomes for mothers who may be at-risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and undergoing BRCA1/2 genetic testing should attend to mothers' and their partners' preferences regarding family communication about hereditary cancer risk.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of dyadic parenting relationships on psychological distress among mothers tested for BRCA1/2 genetic mutations and their untested partners. METHODS: Data were from a prospective study of mothers suspected to be at risk for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer who underwent genetic counseling and BRCA1/2 testing and their untested parenting partners (n = 109 parenting dyads). Participants completed assessments before and 1 month after genetic testing. Structural equation modeling was used to examine relationships among mothers' and partners' psychological distress, decisional conflict surrounding communication of test results to their offspring, and the parent-child communication relationship. Psychological distress was measured using items modified from the Brief Symptom Inventory. RESULTS: Among mothers, greater psychological distress (B = 0.29, p < .001) and poorer parent-child communication (B = -0.12, p < .01) at baseline predicted greater distress at follow-up. Among partners, greater distress at baseline predicted greater distress at follow-up (B = 0.67, p < .001). Mother and partner decisional conflict at baseline were equally associated with the other dyad member's distress at follow-up (B = 1.17, p < .01), but not their own distress. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that conflicted decision-making over family communication of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer genetic test results for one member of a parenting dyad adversely affects the other dyad member's psychological well-being. Interventions to improve outcomes for mothers who may be at-risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and undergoing BRCA1/2 genetic testing should attend to mothers' and their partners' preferences regarding family communication about hereditary cancer risk.
Authors: J Zabora; K BrintzenhofeSzoc; P Jacobsen; B Curbow; S Piantadosi; C Hooker; A Owens; L Derogatis Journal: Psychosomatics Date: 2001 May-Jun Impact factor: 2.386
Authors: Marc D Schwartz; Beth N Peshkin; Kenneth P Tercyak; Kathryn L Taylor; Heiddis Valdimarsdottir Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2005-07 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Andrea Farkas Patenaude; Tiffani A DeMarco; Beth N Peshkin; Heiddis Valdimarsdottir; Judy E Garber; Katherine A Schneider; Larissa Hewitt; Jennifer Hamilton; Kenneth P Tercyak Journal: J Genet Couns Date: 2012-10-24 Impact factor: 2.537
Authors: Suzanne C O'Neill; Darren Mays; Andrea Farkas Patenaude; Judy E Garber; Tiffani A DeMarco; Beth N Peshkin; Katherine A Schneider; Kenneth P Tercyak Journal: J Community Genet Date: 2014-08-07
Authors: Pedro Gomes; Giada Pietrabissa; Eunice R Silva; João Silva; Paula Mena Matos; Maria Emília Costa; Vanessa Bertuzzi; Eliana Silva; Maria Carolina Neves; Célia M D Sales Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-30 Impact factor: 3.390