Community attitudes towards mental health interventions for healthy people on the basis of genetic susceptibility

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate, using serotonin transporter genotyping as an example, the preparedness of individuals from an urban general population identified with hypothetical genetic risk for a depressive disorder to moderate risk through cognitive or behavioural intervention. It also evaluated endorsement of genetic and environmental causal attributions of mental illness.Method: A qualitative approach using focus group methodology was selected as most appropriate because these issues are relatively unexplored. Participants (n=36) aged ≥18 years from metropolitan Sydney discussed their understanding of the role of genetic and environmental risk factors in mental illness and attitudes towards pre-symptomatic interventions based on genetic risk information.Results: Thirty-six participants attended four focus groups involving 8-10 participants per group. Participants predominantly viewed genetic risk factors for depression as predisposing rather than causal, with environmental ...