Parental Perceptions of Benefits and Risks Concerning Mental Health Biomarker Testing for Adolescents

Psychiatry currently lacks clinically relevant biomarkers, though recent developments in this field have shown promise. Nevertheless, a noticeable gap exists in understanding parental perspectives regarding such technologies. Thus, this study aimed to investigate parental perceptions about mental health biomarker (MHB) testing for adolescents, as they play a pivotal role in guiding decisions about their children's healthcare. An online survey was conducted in Finland, targeting 1500 parents of adolescents aged 10-17. A 20-item questionnaire was used to assess parental perceptions of the benefits and risks associated with MHB testing. Psychometric measures were applied to validate the questionnaire, and a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was performed to examine parental perspectives across various demographic factors. Based on 174 questionnaire responses, parents were modestly supportive of the perceived benefits and expressed marginally lower concern about the possible risks associated with MHB testing. MANOVA indicated that some demographic variables were significantly associated with perceived benefits and risks. Notably, higher perceived benefits of adolescent MHB testing were reported by relatively younger parents and those with an undergraduate degree. Additionally, parents with a family history of mental health problems reported greater perceived benefits and lower perceived risks. The findings suggest that perceptions of the benefits and risks of MHB testing differ, with demographics influencing these perceptions. However, further research is warranted to explore the impact of these perceptions on the utility and acceptance of MHB testing among parents and adolescents.