Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process Practice-Based Skills, Second Edition

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© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 249
P. McCarthy Veach et al., Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74799-6_9


Chapter 9


Patient Factors: Resistance, Coping,


Affect, and Styles


This chapter discusses several patient characteristics that impact the processes and
outcomes of genetic counseling, including resistance, coping behaviors, emotional
reactions, and individual and cultural stylistic differences. Your challenge as a
genetic counselor is to recognize and address these factors using the counseling
skills presented in this book.


9.1 Patient Resistance


9.1.1 Definitions of Resistance


Within genetic counseling, resistance refers to patient behaviors that contribute to
the complexity of genetic counseling practice. Weil ( 2010 ) defines resistance as
“attitudes, behaviors, emotions, and ways of thinking by which a patient limits full
engagement with the process of genetic counseling” (p. 155). Resistance is rather


Learning Objectives


  1. Define resistance.

  2. Identify counseling responses for addressing patient resistance.

  3. Differentiate defense mechanisms from other coping behaviors.

  4. Describe selected types of patient affect and their impact on the genetic
    counseling relationship.

  5. Describe patient stylistic differences and their effects on the genetic coun-
    seling session.

  6. Develop skills for addressing patient factors that impact genetic counseling.

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