A STIGMATIZING EFFECT OF THE CARRIER STATUS FOR CYSTIC-FIBROSIS

The emotional impact of carrier detection for CF was assessed in a gro up of adults tested before 1992. Of the 200 adults who received a mail ed questionnaire, 70% participated. One third were CF gene carriers. T he Health Orientation Scale (HOS) was used to evaluate perceived feeli ngs about three situations: (a) How would you describe your feelings a bout yourself when you consider your test result? (b) How do you think most people feel when they are told that they carry the CF gene? (c) How do you think most people feel when they are told that they do not carry the CF gene? Comparing the profiles of CF carriers and non-carri ers, we found that carriers had significantly less positive feelings a bout themselves than non-carriers. Carriers as well as non-carriers at tribute significantly more negative feelings to most carriers of the C F gene than to most non-carriers. Moreover, carriers of the Cf gene at tribute more negative feelings to other CF carriers than to themselves . Analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of carrier status on self-description, as well as a significant effect of carrier statu s and degree of kinship with a CF patient on feelings attributed to mo st carriers. Although these results suggest some danger of stigmatizat ion of CF carriers, the cognitive bias of 'illusory superiority' seems to counterbalance some of its effects.