Effects of Genetic Counselor Self‐Disclosure: an Experimental Analog Study

Abstract

The complex nature of self-disclosure poses challenges for genetic counselors in clinical practice. We examined the impact of genetic counselor self-disclosure on observer perceptions of the counselor. In an online analog study, 123 participants watched a 3-minute video of a simulated genetic counseling session. For half the participants, the video showed the counselor disclosing that she had a family medical history similar to the patient (direct personal disclosure). For half the participants, the counselor revealed her experience with other patients (direct professional disclosure). Half the participants in each video condition read that the patient had discovered personal information about the counselor during a pre-session web search (indirect personal disclosure); half read that the patient learned of the counselor's FAQ webpage for prospective patients (indirect professional disclosure). Participants in the direct personal disclosure conditions gave higher ratings to the counseling relationship on an abbreviated version of the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory and rated themselves more likely to see the counselor compared to those in the direct professional disclosure conditions. The content of the indirect disclosure conditions (personal or professional) had no effect. Brief, direct, verbal disclosure of session-relevant personal information by a genetic counselor appears to enhance the counselor-patient relationship and increase the likelihood of patients returning to the counselor.

Genetic counselor and proxy patient perceptions of genetic counselor responses to prenatal patient self‐disclosure requests: Skillfulness is in the eye of the beholder

“…Designs that more closely reflect actual sessions such as video‐recorded interactions (cf. Volz et al, 2018) would allow for assessment of the impact of non‐verbals such as tone on perceptions of skillfulness. Future research should also investigate potential demographic and cultural differences in perceptions of skillfulness, especially among patients.…”

“…Designs that more closely reflect actual sessions such as video-recorded interactions (cf. Volz et al, 2018)…”

“…Weil, 2000). Research on effects of genetic counselor self‐disclosure suggest self‐disclosure can improve the therapeutic relationship, increase genetic counselor likability, and increase patient satisfaction (Paine et al, 2010; Volz, Valverde, & Robbins, 2018). Hypothesized risks include removing the focus from the patient and triggering harmful countertransference in the genetic counselor (cf.…”

Self-disclosure effect on cultural context of Papuan teenagers

“…Chelune & Figueroa (1981), state that through self-disclosure, familiarity will increase. It helps people to know themselves, understand clearly what they want and what they are doing in their communication with others (Volz et al, 2019). Calhoun & Tedeschi (2014), suggest three uses of self-disclosure, namely (1) opening up to strengthen affection, (2) being able to let go of feelings of guilt and anxiety, and (3) being a means of human existence that always needs a place to tell stories.…”