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Predictors of psychological distress among individuals with a strong family history of malignant melanoma
Author(s) -
Kasparian NA,
Meiser B,
Butow PN,
Simpson JM,
Mann GJ
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1399-0004
pISSN - 0009-9163
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2007.00949.x
Subject(s) - melanoma , family history , cdkn2a , anxiety , medicine , distress , cohort , clinical psychology , cancer , oncology , psychology , psychiatry , cancer research
Despite rapid advancements in molecular genetics research, little is known about the psychological experiences of individuals with a family history of melanoma. The present study aimed to identify factors contributing to psychological distress among affected and unaffected individuals with a strong family history of melanoma. A total of 121 adults who had recently been informed of the identification of a family‐specific mutation in the CDKN2A melanoma susceptibility gene, completed a self‐report questionnaire assessing cancer‐specific and generalized distress, and a variety of potential predictors. Having a personal history of melanoma (OR = 3.37, p = 0.033), perceiving greater family implications of melanoma (OR = 2.52, p < 0.0001), and the tendency to monitor for threatening information (OR = 3.12, p = 0.008) were associated with melanoma‐specific distress. Being childless ( β = 2.09, p = 0.007), perceiving sun exposure as an important cause of melanoma ( β = 1.15, p = 0.015), and perceiving greater family implications of melanoma ( β = 1.02, p = 0.002) were associated with greater generalized anxiety, while monitoring moderated the relationship between endorsement of a genetic model of melanoma and generalized anxiety (p = 0.005). As in other common familial cancers, distress was relatively uncommon in this familial melanoma cohort, even after notification of the presence of a family mutation. Participants do not contemplate their melanoma risk in isolation, but evaluate their risk vis‐à‐vis the experiences of their relatives.