Along with the need for continued research in this area, our findings have provided additional hints that are consistent with earlier studies. Despite the consensus that education may reduce the effect of stigma and mistrust on willingness to participate in genetic research, less educated or poorer Blacks should not be summarily excluded. However, the additional time, financial, and human resources required to adequately engage such communities, need to be factored into the planning and design of studies in which they are to be recruited. Although this may improve response rates for genetic studies, there remains significant work to be done in terms of addressing the significant reasons for mistrust associated with genetic research. The expected increase in molecular genetic research of psychiatric disorders over the next decade duly calls for continued attention to the perceived barriers and potential concerns expressed by populations that are underrepresented in such research.
