Attitudes Toward Psychiatric Genetic Testing and Research: A Comparative Study Between Denmark and Cuba

Area of Science:

• Psychiatric Genetics
• Medical Sociology
• Cross-cultural Psychology

Background:

• Psychiatric genetic research is advancing, with potential future implications for preventive genetic testing.
• Patient interests in genetic testing and counseling can vary significantly across cultures.
• Understanding these cultural variations is crucial for ethical and effective implementation of psychiatric genetic services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare attitudes towards psychiatric genetic research and testing in Denmark and Cuba.
• To identify potential cultural and systemic factors influencing these attitudes.
• To inform the development of globally relevant guidelines for psychiatric genetic testing.

Main Methods:

• A cross-cultural survey was conducted in Denmark and Cuba.
• The survey was culturally adapted for each participating country.
• Participants included students, patients with depression, and their relatives (491 from Denmark, 720 from Cuba).

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed in general knowledge about psychiatric genetics.
• Discrepancies were found regarding preferences for offering genetic testing and information custodianship.
• Cuban stakeholders reported greater discomfort with psychiatric genetic research compared to Danish stakeholders.

Conclusions:

• Cultural, health system, and genetic literacy factors likely contribute to differing attitudes.
• This study provides a unique cross-cultural comparison between Latin American and Nordic countries.
• Findings are valuable for establishing future international guidelines for psychiatric genetic testing.