Abstract
Black/African American women are at high risk for depression, yet are underrepresented in psychiatric genetic research for depression prevention and treatment. Little is known about the factors that influence participation in genetic testing for Black/African American women at risk. The purpose of this study was to elicit the beliefs that underlie participation in genetic testing for depression in Black/African American mothers, a subgroup at high risk. Willingness to participate in genetic testing procedures was also determined. A qualitative, descriptive design was employed. Exactly 19 mothers aged 21–42 completed open-ended questionnaires. Directed content and descriptive analyses of the text were conducted based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. Salient beliefs included: behavioral advantages—diagnosing/detecting depression (31.6%), finding cure/treatment (21.1%); disadvantages—not finding follow-up treatment/help (21.1%); salient referents, who approves—family members (47.4%), agencies/organizations (26.3%); who disapproves—church associates (21.1%). Control beliefs included: barriers—unpleasant/difficult testing procedures (42.1%), limited knowledge about the purpose of testing (26.3%); facilitator—a convenient location (21.1%). Most mothers (89.5%) indicated willingness to participate in testing. Interventions can target families, address barriers, emphasize future benefits, and use convenient locations and community-based participatory research methods. Policies can address social determinants of participation to increase inclusion of these mothers in psychiatric genetic research.
Highlights
Clinical depression is a serious mental illness that affects 17.3 million (7.3%) United States (U.S.)adults each year and is more prevalent among females (8.7%) and younger adults (18–25, 13.1%) [1,2].Behav
This study examined levels of depressive symptoms as well as determined the willingness of these mothers to participate in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing
The participants consisted of 19 Black/African American mothers between the ages of 21 and 42 years (M = 31.06, SD = 6.11)
Summary
Clinical depression is a serious mental illness that affects 17.3 million (7.3%) United States (U.S.)adults each year and is more prevalent among females (8.7%) and younger adults (18–25, 13.1%) [1,2].Behav. Americans [1], Black/African Americans often report higher levels of depressive symptoms in national health surveys compared to other ethnic groups [3,4]. Black/African Americans that often go undiagnosed and/or untreated with psychological counseling or medications, resulting in overall poorer mental health for these Americans [5,6,7,8]. These facts are reflected in what we know about Black/African American mothers, a subgroup of Black women at high risk for clinical depression.
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