Genetic and environmental influences on anorexia nervosa syndromes in a population–based twin sample

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. KLUMP ◽  
K. B. MILLER ◽  
P. K. KEEL ◽  
M. McGUE ◽  
W. G. IACONO
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Structured Interviews

Background. Genetic and environmental influences on broadly-defined anorexia nervosa (AN) syndrome were examined in a population-based twin sample.Methods. AN syndrome was assessed in 672 female 17 year-old twins using structured interviews and a self-report questionnaire.Results. Twenty-six probands with AN syndrome were identified. Biometrical model-fitting analyses indicated that genetic and non-shared environmental factors accounted for 74 % and 26 % of the variance in AN syndrome, respectively.Conclusions. Findings support previous research indicating significant genetic and non-shared environmental influences on AN syndromes.

scholarly journals Who gets lost and why: A representative cross-sectional survey on sociodemographic and vestibular determinants of wayfinding strategies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Ulrich ◽  
Eva Grill ◽  
Virginia L. Flanagin
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
The Other ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Multinomial Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractWhen we think of our family and friends, we probably know someone who is good at finding their way and someone else that easily get lost. We still know little about the biological and environmental factors that influence our navigational ability. Here, we investigated the frequency and sociodemographic determinants of wayfinding and their association with vestibular function in a representative cross-sectional sample (N = 783) of the adult German-speaking population. Wayfinding was assessed using the Wayfinding Strategy Scale, a self-report scale that produces two scores for each participant representing to what degree they rely on route-based or orientation (map-based) strategies. We were interested in the following research questions: (1) the frequency and determinants of wayfinding strategies in a population-based representative sample, (2) the relationship between vestibular function and strategy choice and (3) how sociodemographic factors influence general wayfinding ability as measured using a combined score from both strategy scores. Our linear regression models showed that being male, having a higher education, higher age and lower regional urbanization increased orientation strategy scores. Vertigo/dizziness reduced the scores of both the orientation and the route strategies. Using a novel approach, we grouped participants by their combined strategy scores in a multinomial regression model, to see whether individuals prefer one strategy over the other. The majority of individuals reported using either both or no strategy, instead of preferring one strategy over the other. Young age and reduced vestibular function were indicative of using no strategy. In summary, wayfinding ability depends on both biological and environmental factors; all sociodemographic factors except income. Over a third of the population, predominantly under the age of 35, does not successfully use either strategy. This represents a change in our wayfinding skills, which may result from the technological advances in navigational aids over the last few decades.

Genetic and environmental factors in the aetiology of menstrual, premenstrual and neurotic symptoms: a population-based twin study

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. S. Kendler ◽  
J. L. Silberg ◽  
M. C. Neale ◽  
R. C. Kessler ◽  
A. C. Heath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Premenstrual Symptoms ◽  
Menstrual Symptoms ◽  
Multivariate Genetic Analysis ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Population Based Registry ◽  
Anxiety Depression

SYNOPSISSymptoms during the premenstrual and menstrual phases of the female reproductive cycle were assessed in 827 pairs of female same-sex twins from a population-based registry. By conventional factor analysis, premenstrual and menstrual symptoms were relatively independent of one another and of baseline ‘neurotic’ symptoms (i.e. anxiety, depression and somatization). Familial resemblance for menstrual and premenstrual symptoms was due solely to genetic factors with heritability estimates of 39·2% and 35·1%, respectively. Multivariate genetic analysis revealed distinct genetic and environmental factors for menstrual, premenstrual and neurotic symptoms. The genes and individual-specific experiences that predispose to premenstrual symptoms appear to be largely distinct from those which predispose either to menstrual or to neurotic symptoms. The generalizability of these results may be limited because only a modest number of premenstrual and menstrual symptoms were assessed, all by retrospective self-report.

Genetic and environmental influences on sociopolitical attitudes

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Bell ◽  
Christian Kandler ◽  
Rainer Riemann
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Report ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
German Sample ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Sociopolitical Attitudes ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Peer Reports

A new paradigm has emerged in which both genetic and environmental factors are cited as possible influences on sociopolitical attitudes. Despite the increasing acceptance of this paradigm, several aspects of the approach remain underdeveloped. Specifically, limitations arise from a reliance on a twins-only design, and all previous studies have used self-reports only. There are also questions about the extent to which existing findings generalize cross-culturally. To address those issues, this study examined individual differences in liberalism/conservatism in a German sample that included twins, their parents, and their spouses and incorporated both self- and peer reports. The self-report findings from this extended twin family design were largely consistent with previous research that used that rater perspective, but they provided higher estimates of heritability, shared parental environmental influences, assortative mating, and genotype-environment correlation than the results from peer reports. The implications of these findings for the measurement and understanding of sociopolitical attitudes are explored.

A twin study of body dysmorphic concerns

2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 1949-1955 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Monzani ◽  
F. Rijsdijk ◽  
M. Anson ◽  
A. C. Iervolino ◽  
L. Cherkas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Body Dysmorphic Disorder ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Physical Appearance ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Heritable Trait ◽  
Body Odour ◽  
Modelling Methods ◽  
Report Measure

BackgroundDysmorphic concern refers to an excessive preoccupation with a perceived or slight defect in physical appearance. It lies on a continuum of severity from no or minimal concerns to severe concerns over one's appearance. The present study examined the heritability of dysmorphic concerns in a large sample of twins.MethodTwins from the St Thomas UK twin registry completed a valid and reliable self-report measure of dysmorphic concerns, which also includes questions about perceived body odour and malfunction. Twin modelling methods (female twins only, n=3544) were employed to decompose the variance in the liability to dysmorphic concerns into additive genetic, shared and non-shared environmental factors.ResultsModel-fitting analyses showed that genetic factors accounted for approximately 44% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 36–50%] of the variance in dysmorphic concerns, with non-shared environmental factors and measurement error accounting for the remaining variance (56%; 95% CI 50–63%). Shared environmental factors were negligible. The results remained unchanged when excluding individuals reporting an objective medical condition/injury accounting for their concern in physical appearance.ConclusionsOver-concern with a perceived or slight defect in physical appearance is a heritable trait, with non-shared environmental factors also playing an important role in its causation. The results are relevant for various psychiatric disorders characterized by excessive concerns in body appearance, odour or function, including but not limited to body dysmorphic disorder.

Correlated genetic and non-shared environmental influences account for the co-morbidity between female sexual dysfunctions

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Witting ◽  
P. Santtila ◽  
F. Rijsdijk ◽  
M. Varjonen ◽  
P. Jern ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Sexual Dysfunctions ◽  
Co Morbidity ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Correlated Factors ◽  
Best Fit

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown moderate heritability for female orgasm. So far, however, no study has addressed the pattern of genetic and environmental influences on diverse sexual dysfunctions in women, nor how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the associations between them.MethodThe sample was drawn from the Genetics of Sex and Aggression (GSA) sample and consisted of 6446 female twins (aged 18–43 years) and 1994 female siblings (aged 18–49 years). The participants responded to the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), either by post or online.ResultsModel fitting analyses indicated that individual differences on all six subdomains of the FSFI (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) were primarily due to non-shared (individual-specific) environmental influences. Genetic influences were modest but significant, whereas shared environmental influences were not significant. A correlated factors model including additive and non-additive genetic and non-shared environmental effects proved to have the best fit and suggested that both correlated additive and non-additive genetic factors and unique environmental factors underlie the co-occurrence of the sexual function problems.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that female sexual dysfunctions are separate entities with some shared aetiology. They also indicate that there is a genetic susceptibility for sexual dysfunctions. The unique experiences of each individual are, however, the main factors determining if, and which, dysfunction develops.

scholarly journals The association between emotional eating and depressive symptoms: a population-based twin study in Sri Lanka

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz P. Herle ◽  
Carol Kan ◽  
Kaushalya Jayaweera ◽  
Anushka Adikari ◽  
Sisira Siribaddana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Emotional Eating ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Study Phase ◽  
Sri Lankan

AbstractThis study investigated the genetic and environmental contributions to emotional overeating (EOE) and depressive symptoms, and their covariation, in a Sri-Lankan population, using genetic model-fitting analysis. In total, 3957 twins and singletons in the Colombo Twin and Singleton Study-Phase 2 rated their EOE behaviour and depressive symptoms, which were significantly associated (men: r = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.16, women: r = 0.12, 95% CI 0.07–0.16). Non-shared environmental factors explained the majority of variance in men (EOE e2 = 87%, 95% CI 78–95%; depressive symptoms e2 = 72%, 95% CI 61–83%) and women (EOE e2 = 76%, 95% CI 68–83%; depressive symptoms e2 = 64%, 95% CI 55–74%). Genetic factors were more important for EOE in women (h2 = 21%, 95% CI 4–32%) than men (h2 = 9%, 95% CI 0–20%). Shared-environmental factors were more important for depressive symptoms in men (c2 = 25%, 95% CI 10–36%) than women (c2 = 9%, 95% CI 0–35%). Non-shared environmental factors explained the overlap between depressive symptoms and EOE in women but not in men. Results differed from high-income populations, highlighting the need for behavioural genetic research in global populations.

Genetic and environmental influences on juvenile antisocial behaviour assessed on two occasions

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1315-1325 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. JACOBSON ◽  
C. A. PRESCOTT ◽  
K. S. KENDLER
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Antisocial Behaviour ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Retrospective Reports ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
Mz Twins

Background. There is conflicting evidence concerning the magnitude of genetic and shared environmental influences on juvenile antisocial behaviour (AB). The use of more than one assessment of AB may yield more accurate estimates of these influences.Methods. Retrospective reports of antisocial behaviour prior to age 18 were obtained on two occasions from a population-based sample of 3522 adult males from male–male twin pairs: phone interviews (wave 1) and self-report questionnaires obtained 19 months later (wave 2). Structural equation modelling estimated the genetic and environmental influences on reliably-measured AB. Factors related to participation of co-twin at wave 1, attrition between waves 1 and 2, and reliability of wave 1 and wave 2 assessments were also investigated.Results. Twin analyses revealed that genetic, shared environmental, and non-shared environmental influences accounted for approximately 33% (95% CI = 9–57%), 31% (95% CI = 10–51%) and 36% (95% CI = 29–44%) of the variance of reliably measured AB, respectively. We also found significant occasion-specific genetic influences on wave 1 AB. Wave 1 AB did not predict wave 1 participation of co-twin or attrition, but was related to reliability. Co-twins of MZ twins and younger twins were more likely to participate at wave 1; attrition was predicted by being a DZ twin, lack of initial participation of co-twin, fewer years of education, and fewer children. Being older, being unmarried, and having less psychopathology were associated with greater reliability.Conclusions. When measurement error is taken into account, both genetic and shared environmental factors are significant influences on juvenile AB, accounting for approximately one- third of variation. The origin of the specific genetic influences on wave 1 AB is unclear, but may be due to factors related to measurement.

scholarly journals The structure of genetic and environmental influences on normative personality, abnormal personality traits, and personality disorder symptoms

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (08) ◽  
pp. 1392-1399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth S. Kendler ◽  
Steven H. Aggen ◽  
Nathan Gillespie ◽  
Robert F. Krueger ◽  
Nikolai Czajkowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Common Factor ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Correlation Matrices ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Adult Twins ◽  
Congruence Model

AbstractBackgroundCan the structure of genetic and environmental influences on normative personality traits (NPTs), abnormal personality traits (APTs), and DSM-IV criteria for personality disorders (PD) fit a high or low congruence model positing, respectively, close or more limited etiologic continuity?MethodExploratory factor analysis was applied to transformed correlation matrices from Cholesky twin decompositions obtained in OpenMx. In 2801 adult twins from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health Twin Panel, NPTs and APTs were assessed by self-report using the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and PID-5-Norwegian Brief Form (PID-5-NBF), respectively. PDs were assessed at interview using the Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality (SIDP-IV).ResultsThe best model yielded three genetic and three unique environmental factors. Genetic factors were dominated, respectively, by (i) high loadings on nearly all PDs and NPT/APT neuroticism and compulsivity, (ii) negative loadings on NPT agreeableness/conscientiousness and positive loadings on APT/PD measures of antisocial traits, and (iii) negative loadings on NPT extraversion and histrionic PD, and positive loadings on APT detachment and schizoid/avoidant PD. Unique environmental factors were dominated, by (i) high loadings on all PDs, (ii) high loadings on all APT dimensions and NPT neuroticism, and (iii) negative loadings on NPT extraversion and positive loadings on NPT detachment/avoidant PD.ConclusionsTwo genetic and one environmental common factor were consistent with a high congruence model while one genetic and two environmental factors were more supportive of a low congruence model. The relationship between genetic and environmental influences on personality assessed by NPTs, APTs, and PDs is complex and does not fit easily into a low or high congruence model.

Back–neck pain and symptoms of anxiety and depression: a population-based twin study

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1009-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. REICHBORN-KJENNERUD ◽  
C. STOLTENBERG ◽  
K. TAMBS ◽  
E. ROYSAMB ◽  
E. KRINGLEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Equation Modelling

Background. Clinical and epidemiological studies have shown an association between anxiety and depression and pain in the back and neck. The nature of this relationship is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the extent to which common genetic and environmental aetiological factors contribute to the covariance between symptoms of anxiety and depression and back–neck pain.Methods. Measures of back–neck pain and symptoms of anxiety and depression were part of a self-report questionnaire sent in 1992 to twins born in Norway between 1967 and 1974 (3996 pairs). Structural equation modelling was applied to determine to what extent back–neck pain and symptoms of anxiety and depression share genetic and environmental liability factors.Results. The phenotypic correlation between symptoms of anxiety and depression and back–neck pain was 0.31. Individual differences in both anxiety and depression and back–neck pain were best accounted for by additive genetic and individual environmental factors. Heritability estimates were 0.53 and 0.30 respectively. For back–neck pain, however, a model specifying only shared- and individual environmental effects could not be rejected. Bivariate analyses revealed that the correlation between back–neck pain and symptoms of anxiety and depression was best explained by additive genetic and individual environmental factors. Genetic factors affecting both phenotypes accounted for 60% of the covariation. There were no significant sex differences.Conclusion. The results support previous findings of a moderate association between back–neck pain and symptoms of anxiety and depression, and suggest that this association is primarily due to common genetic effects.

A common genetic factor explains the association between psychopathic personality and antisocial behavior

2006 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
HENRIK LARSSON ◽  
CATHERINE TUVBLAD ◽  
FRUHLING V. RIJSDIJK ◽  
HENRIK ANDERSHED ◽  
MARTIN GRANN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Antisocial Behavior ◽  
Genetic Factor ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Psychopathic Personality ◽  
At Risk Children ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Common Genetic Factor

Background. Both psychopathic personality traits and antisocial behavior are influenced by genetic as well as environmental factors. However, little is known about how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the associations between the psychopathic personality traits and antisocial behavior.Method. Data were drawn from a longitudinal population-based twin sample including all 1480 twin pairs born in Sweden between May 1985 and December 1986. The twins responded to mailed self-report questionnaires at two occasions: 1999 (twins 13–14 years old), and 2002 (twins 16–17 years old).Results. A common genetic factor loaded substantially on both psychopathic personality traits and antisocial behavior, whereas a common shared environmental factor loaded exclusively on antisocial behavior.Conclusions. The genetic overlap between psychopathic personality traits and antisocial behavior may reflect a genetic vulnerability to externalizing psychopathology. The finding of shared environmental influences only in antisocial behavior suggests an etiological distinction between psychopathic personality dimensions and antisocial behavior. Knowledge about temperamental correlates to antisocial behavior is important for identification of susceptibility genes, as well as for possible prevention through identification of at-risk children early in life.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document