Genetic testing for deafness is now a reality with the identification of Connexin 26 (Cx26, GJB2) as a cause of up to 50% of nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness. Because deafness is viewed as a personal trait, rather than a medical condition, by many individuals, the impact of genetic information on deaf/hard of hearing (hoh) individuals and members of the Deaf community needs to be empirically examined to fully understand the ethical, social, and clinical ramifications of genetic testing for deafness. This project will address these issues by examining the dynamics among genetic information, deaf/hoh individuals, and the Deaf community through the lens of deaf identity - a deaf/hoh individual's self-identification with deafness, which influences identification with the Deaf community. We propose a 4-year, prospective, longitudinal, multi-institutional study which examines this dynamic in a culturally and ancestrally diverse sample of 500 deaf/hoh individuals who are >18 years old, drawing from greater Los Angeles area. This geographic area, in which >750,000 deaf/hoh individuals reside, offers the unique opportunity to engage a culturally diverse sample of deaf/hoh adults through organizations serving deaf/hoh individuals such as the National Center on Deafness at California State University-Northridge, the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, church groups, recreational groups, and support groups. Participants will receive genetic counseling and Cx26 testing, and will complete questionnaires assessing deaf identity, attitudes and beliefs, motivations, knowledge, behaviors, and psychosocial outcomes prior to pre-test counseling, immediately following pretest counseling, 1 month- and 6 months following test result disclosure. Those declining testing/results will complete 1 month- and 6 months follow-up questionnaires, enabling comparison between decliners and nondecliners. An online multi-media format will enable questionnaire items to be presented in ASL (using video) and English/Spanish (using text). This research will provide information on the impact of genetic testing on deaf/hoh individuals and the Deaf community, and it will be the first to develop an empirical foundation from which to base future discussions about the provision of genetic counseling and testing to deaf/hoh adults. The latter is critical for developing models of genetic counseling and testing which incorporate anticipatory guidance for clients. This research is responsive to an NHGRI priority for assessing the impact of genomics on individuals and communities, and the design and aims of this project stem from community-based research planning, involving the opinions and expertise of individuals who are members of the Deaf community. In this way, we have ensured that the project is conducted in a culturally sensitive manner, that it provides a broader insight into the perspectives of the individuals targeted in this genetic testing, and that the results are relevant to deaf/hoh individuals, Deaf communities, and genetics services.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01HG003871-03S1
Application #
7749812
Study Section
Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Human Genetics Study Section (ELS)
Program Officer
Thomson, Elizabeth
Project Start
2006-09-01
Project End
2011-08-31
Budget Start
2008-09-01
Budget End
2011-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$34,563
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
Palmer, Christina G S; Boudreault, Patrick; Baldwin, Erin E et al. (2014) Impact of genetic counseling and Connexin-26 and Connexin-30 testing on deaf identity and comprehension of genetic test results in a sample of deaf adults: a prospective, longitudinal study. PLoS One 9:e111512
Kobayashi, Yoko; Boudreault, Patrick; Hill, Karin et al. (2013) Using a social marketing framework to evaluate recruitment of a prospective study of genetic counseling and testing for the deaf community. BMC Med Res Methodol 13:145
Palmer, Christina G S; Boudreault, Patrick; Baldwin, Erin E et al. (2013) Deaf genetic testing and psychological well-being in deaf adults. J Genet Couns 22:492-507
Baldwin, Erin E; Boudreault, Patrick; Fox, Michelle et al. (2012) Effect of pre-test genetic counseling for deaf adults on knowledge of genetic testing. J Genet Couns 21:256-72
Enns, Emily E; Boudreault, Patrick; Palmer, Christina G S (2010) Examining the relationship between genetic counselors' attitudes toward deaf people and the genetic counseling session. J Genet Couns 19:161-73
Boudreault, Patrick; Baldwin, Erin E; Fox, Michelle et al. (2010) Deaf adults' reasons for genetic testing depend on cultural affiliation: results from a prospective, longitudinal genetic counseling and testing study. J Deaf Stud Deaf Educ 15:209-27
Palmer, Christina G S; Martinez, Ariadna; Fox, Michelle et al. (2009) A prospective, longitudinal study of the impact of GJB2/GJB6 genetic testing on the beliefs and attitudes of parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing infants. Am J Med Genet A 149A:1169-82
Palmer, Christina G S; Lueddeke, Jason T; Zhou, Jin (2009) Factors influencing parental decision about genetics evaluation for their deaf or hard-of-hearing child. Genet Med 11:248-55