The CF carrier status is not associated with a diminished self‐concept or increased anxiety: results of psychometric testing after at least 1 year

Abstract

To evaluate whether the CF carrier status has any lasting effect on anxiety and on self-concept at least 1 year after the disclosure of the test result, an in-depth interview and additional psychological tests were administered in a group of adults who participated in a previous study which suggested a slight stigmatizing effect of the CF carrier status. Besides carrier status, the role of a second factor — degree of relationship — was investigated. Analysis of Variance (MANOVA or ANOVA) revealed no effect on state and trait anxiety (STAI) and almost no effect on the six subscales of the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale. The absence of a lasting negative effect of the CF carrier status on anxiety and self-concept is a very important finding. Nevertheless, an intriguing significant interaction effect was found: the group of sibs carrying the CF gene felt less integrated in the family than the group of non-carrier sibs. This effect of carrier status was not found in the more distant relatives. It is important to pay sufficient attention to this problem during genetic counseling when brothers or sisters of a CF patient receive a test result.