What do parents expect from a genetic diagnosis of their child with intellectual disability?

BACKGROUND: Caring for a child with intellectual disability (ID) has been associated with increased social and psychological burdens. Diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty may enhance emotional stress in families. - METHOD: The present authors assessed the motivations, expectations, mental health, p...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dikow, Nicola (Author) , Moog, Ute (Author) , Karch, Stephanie (Author) , Sander, Anja (Author) , Kilian, Samuel (Author) , Reuner, Gitta (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 15 April 2019
In: Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Year: 2019, Pages: 1-9
ISSN:1468-3148
DOI:10.1111/jar.12602
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jar.12602
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Author Notes:Nicola Dikow, Ute Moog, Stephanie Karch, Anja Sander, Samuel Kilian, Rainer Blank, Gitta Reuner
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Caring for a child with intellectual disability (ID) has been associated with increased social and psychological burdens. Diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty may enhance emotional stress in families. - METHOD: The present authors assessed the motivations, expectations, mental health, physical health and the quality of life of 194 parents whose children with intellectual disability were undergoing a genetic diagnostic workup. - RESULTS: Most parents considered a diagnosis highly relevant for their own emotional relief, their child's therapies and education, or family planning. Parental mental health was significantly lower compared with the normative sample, but physical health was not different. The severity of the child's intellectual disability correlated negatively with their parents' mental and physical health, quality of life, and positively with parental anxiety. - CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers should be aware of the disadvantages facing families with intellectually disabled children. Receiving practical, social and psychological support as well as genetic testing might be particularly relevant for families with severely disabled children.
Item Description:Gesehen am 06.05.2019
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1468-3148
DOI:10.1111/jar.12602