Genetic counseling and parental self-concept change

Twelve parents of children with genetic diseases (Klinefelter syndrome, trisomy 21, lactase deficiency, phenylketonemia, Noonan syndrome, ichthyosis, Prader-Willi syndrome, and trisomy 13) were tested with the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale prior to and immediately after genetic counseling. Total Positive Score, indicative of self-esteem level, changed significantly. The score increased due to positive changes in the subjects' family, social, moral, physical and psychologic identity, and affect and behavior. This change is interpreted as an improvement in self-concept. Two other changes were only marginally insignificant, however. The Total Conflict decreased and that is a sign of improvement; but the NDS increased. Of the two scores, the NDS is the more powerful indicator and an increase in it is a signal for caution. Self-concept improvement with genetic counseling of parents whose progeny had one of the described diseases has, therefore, been documented. Carefully designed investigations of the future will verify factors which induce psychologic change and effect the management of disease.