Disorder-related characteristics associated with interest in genetic testing for psychological disorders

Genetic testing for psychological disorders is becoming increasingly accessible and popular. Understanding factors that predict interest in genetic testing allows healthcare providers to deliver personalised medicine and informs health campaigns. The present study had three hypotheses: 1. participants will perceive depression as significantly more preventable and treatable and significantly less severe, heritable, and shorter in duration compared to schizophrenia; 2. perceptions of greater preventability and treatability, and shorter duration will significantly predict interest in genetic testing for depression; 3. perceptions of greater heritability and severity will significantly predict interest in genetic testing for schizophrenia. A total of 229 adult participants (mean age=28.25 years, female N=16, male N=55, non-binary N=4, other N=1) completed an online survey regarding their perceptions of depression and schizophrenia, genetic knowledge and determinism, and interest in genetic testing. T-tests revealed that there was a significant difference in participants’ perceptions of depression and schizophrenia. Logistic regressions revealed that perceptions of preventability, severity and the cyclical nature were significant predictors of interest in genetic testing for depression. None of the predictors were significant for predicting interest in genetic testing for schizophrenia. These results demonstrate a need for further research in the ambiguous field of genetic testing for psychological disorders