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Socio-ecological models as a framework for 21st-century genetic counseling.

Shana L Merrill^1,2,3, Rebecca Mueller⁴

¹School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Journal of Genetic Counseling

|June 2, 2026

Summary

Socio-ecological models offer a unified framework for genetic counseling practice, research, and training. This approach helps guide the expanding field of genetic counseling across micro, meso, and macro levels.

Keywords:

education/pedagogy genetics services multidisciplinarity/interprofessional practice professional development professional identity socio‐ecological models

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Area of Science:

Genetic Counseling
Public Health
Social Work

Background:

Socio-ecological models are established in social work and public health but underexplored in genetic counseling.
The genetic counseling field is rapidly expanding globally, necessitating unified theoretical frameworks.
Current practice, training, and research in genetic counseling lack a cohesive conceptual model.

Purpose of the Study:

To conceptualize and tailor socio-ecological models for genetic counseling.
To provide a common language and organizational framework for the evolving genetic counseling profession.
To illustrate the application of socio-ecological models across genetic counseling's professional identity, clinical practice, training, and research.

Main Methods:

Overview of socio-ecological models.
Description of model applications in genetic counseling contexts.
Presentation of practical examples for multi-level issue resolution.

Main Results:

Socio-ecological models can provide a unifying framework for genetic counseling.
These models offer practical applications for professional identity, clinical practice, training, and research.
The micro, meso, and macro levels of socio-ecological models are relevant to genetic counseling.

Conclusions:

Adoption of socio-ecological models can foster cohesion in the genetic counseling field.
These models are valuable for addressing complex genetic counseling issues at multiple levels.
Tailoring socio-ecological models will help intentionally shape the future of genetic counseling.