Impact of Genetic Counseling for Individuals With Mental Illness
Genetic Counseling for Individuals With Mental Illness: Impact on Knowledge, Risk Perception, Perceived Control and Internalized Stigma.
1 other identifier
interventional
120
1 country
1
Brief Summary
People who have experienced mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder often have a poor understanding of the causes of their illness, and that they are often very worried about how the illness affects their families. In particular, affected individuals worry that there is a high chance that any children that they have will become affected with the same illness. Often, because of this fear, affected individuals 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 individuals who have a major mental illness.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for phase_3 schizophrenia
Started Jul 2008
Longer than P75 for phase_3 schizophrenia
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
July 1, 2008
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
July 7, 2008
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
July 11, 2008
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 1, 2011
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
November 1, 2011
CompletedJuly 12, 2012
July 1, 2012
2.9 years
July 7, 2008
July 11, 2012
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Knowledge, risk perception, stigma, perceived control
immediately post intervention and 1 month post intervention
Study Arms (3)
GC
EXPERIMENTALGenetic counseling (GC): 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.
EB
ACTIVE COMPARATOREducational Booklet (EB): 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.
WT
NO INTERVENTIONWaitlist (WT)
Interventions
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.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Fluent in English
- Have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar, or schizoaffective disorder
- Reside in BC, and be able to attend 3 study visits over 1.5 months
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Centre for Complex Disorders, BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Institute
Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4H4, Canada
Related Publications (1)
Hippman C, Ringrose A, Inglis A, Cheek J, Albert AY, Remick R, Honer WG, Austin JC. A pilot randomized clinical trial evaluating the impact of genetic counseling for serious mental illnesses. J Clin Psychiatry. 2016 Feb;77(2):e190-8. doi: 10.4088/JCP.14m09710.
PMID: 26930535DERIVED
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Jehannine Austin, PhD, CCGC, CGC
University of British Columbia
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Erin Michalak
University of British Columbia
- STUDY DIRECTOR
William Honer, MD
University of British Columbia
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Catriona Hippman, MSc
University of British Columbia
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- phase 3
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT
- Intervention Model
- SINGLE GROUP
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
July 7, 2008
First Posted
July 11, 2008
Study Start
July 1, 2008
Primary Completion
June 1, 2011
Study Completion
November 1, 2011
Last Updated
July 12, 2012
Record last verified: 2012-07