scholarly journals Callous–unemotional behaviors in early childhood: Genetic and environmental contributions to stability and change

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 1227-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Flom ◽  
Kimberly J. Saudino
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Stability And Change ◽  
Continuity And Change ◽  
Callous Unemotional

AbstractCallous–unemotional (CU) behaviors demonstrate meaningful individual differences in early childhood, even in nonclinical samples with low mean levels of CU, but the factors underlying this variation have not been examined. This study investigated genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences and to sources of continuity and change in CU in toddler twins (145 monozygotic, 169 dizygotic) assessed at ages 2 and 3 years. CU, as assessed by the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5–5 (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000), was moderately stable across age (r = .45, p < .0001). Longitudinal biometric analyses revealed genetic and nonshared environmental influences on CU at both ages, with no significant contribution from shared environmental factors. Stability from age 2 to 3 was due to genetic factors, whereas change was due to both genetic and nonshared environmental influences. This genetic and nonshared environmental change was substantial, suggesting malleability of CU in early childhood. Over 50% of the genetic influences and 100% of the nonshared environmental influences on CU at age 3 were independent of those that operated at age 2. Implications of novel sources of variance across age are discussed.

scholarly journals Young Netherlands Twin Register (Y-NTR): A Longitudinal Multiple Informant Study of Problem Behavior

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meike Bartels ◽  
C. E. M. (Toos) van Beijsterveldt ◽  
Eske M. Derks ◽  
Therese M. Stroet ◽  
Tinca J. C. Polderman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Attention Problems ◽  
Internalizing Behavior ◽  
Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Rater Bias

AbstractThe Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) was established around 1987 at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The current article summarizes the longitudinal genetic analyses of maternal and paternal ratings of twins' behavior as a function of the sex of the children for the traits of aggression (AGG), attention problems (AP), anxious/depression (ANX), internalizing behavior (INT) and externalizing behavior (EXT). We found that genetic influences are the most important factor in explaining individual differences in these traits. For most phenotypes, influences of genetic factors fluctuate throughout development, with the exception of AP, for which genetic influences remain of similar magnitude. Changes in genetic influences parallel those in shared environmental influences, while nonshared environmental influences remain relatively constant. Around 10% to 20% of the variance is accounted for by parent-specific shared environment, which includes rater bias. For all phenotypes, stability throughout childhood is accounted for by genetic and shared environmental factors, while nonshared environmental influences are mainly age/measurement specific. About 15% of the phenotypic stability is accounted for by rater-specific shared environmental influences, which include rater bias. In conclusion, between ages 3 and 12 genetic factors are the most important cause of individual differences in emotional and behavioral problems.

Genetic and environmental influences on teacher ratings of the Child Behavior Checklist

2000 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary Towers ◽  
Erica Spotts ◽  
Jenae M. Neiderhiser ◽  
Robert Plomin ◽  
E. Mavis Hetherington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Behavior ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Teacher Ratings ◽  
Attention Problems ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Sibling Pairs ◽  
Self Reports

The knowledge we have of childhood and adolescent behaviour is, to some extent, a function of the unique perspective of the rater. Although many behavioural genetics studies have used parent and child self-reports in their assessments of child and adolescent adjustment, few have included teacher ratings of behaviour. It is possible that genetic and environmental contributions to teacher reports are different from those using parent and self-reports. The present study examined genetic and environmental influences on six subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist Teacher Report Form (CBC-TRF) using a normative sample of adolescents. The sample consisted of 373 same-sex twin and sibling pairs of varying degrees of genetic relatedness participating in the Nonshared Environment in Adolescent project (NEAD). For all of the CBC subscales, except attention problems and social problems, nonshared environmental influence was the most important source of variance. Additive genetic factors were of moderate importance for externalising behaviours, whereas nonadditive genetic factors contributed to the anxious/depressed, attention problems, withdrawn, and social problems subscales. For none of the constructs was shared environment a significant influence. Three alternative models testing for contrast effects, differences in twin and nontwin siblings, and differences in nondivorced and stepfamilies were examined. In most cases, the best-fitting model was a model that did not include any of these effects, suggesting that these factors do not critically affect the basic model. However, some of the patterns of correlations and parameter estimates were unusual and may warrant future investigation.

Temperament and Problem Behaviour during Early Childhood

1999 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Schmitz ◽  
David W. Fulker ◽  
Robert Plomin ◽  
Carolyn Zahn-Waxler ◽  
Robert N. Emde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Child Behavior ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Behaviour Problems ◽  
Problem Behaviour ◽  
Maternal Reports ◽  
Temperamental Trait ◽  
Total Problem Score

Some evidence exists for the phenotypic association of problem behaviour in early childhood with temperament in infancy, but little is known about the genetic and environmental mechanisms mediating this association. At the ages of 14, 20, 24, and 36 months, mothers of twins completed the Colorado Childhood Temperament Inventory (CCTI; Buss & Plomin, 1984; Rowe & Plomin, 1977). At age 4, problem behaviour was assessed using maternal reports on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/4-18; Achenbach, 1991). The temperamental trait of Emotionality at all four prior age points correlated significantly with the CBCL Total Problem Score at 4 years as well as with the broad-band groupings of Internalising the Externalising. In addition, Shyness at all four ages correlated significantly with the broad-band grouping of Internalising. Longitudinal behavioural genetic analyses indicated that these phenotypic predictions from early temperament to later behaviour problems are largely due to genetic factors.

scholarly journals Heritable influences on behavioural problems from early childhood to mid-adolescence: evidence for genetic stability and innovation

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 2171-2179 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Lewis ◽  
R. Plomin
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Behavioural Problem ◽  
Behavioural Problems ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Peer Problems ◽  
Quantitative Genetic ◽  
Parental Ratings ◽  
Strengths And Difficulties

BackgroundAlthough behavioural problems (e.g. anxiety, conduct, hyperactivity, peer problems) are known to be heritable both in early childhood and in adolescence, limited work has examined prediction across these ages, and none using a genetically informative sample.MethodWe examined, first, whether parental ratings of behavioural problems (indexed by the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire) at ages 4, 7, 9, 12, and 16 years were stable across these ages. Second, we examined the extent to which stability reflected genetic or environmental effects through multivariate quantitative genetic analysis on data from a large (n > 3000) population (UK) sample of monozygotic and dizygotic twins.ResultsBehavioural problems in early childhood (age 4 years) showed significant associations with the corresponding behavioural problem at all subsequent ages. Moreover, stable genetic influences were observed across ages, indicating that biological bases underlying behavioural problems in adolescence are underpinned by genetic influences expressed as early as age 4 years. However, genetic and environmental innovations were also observed at each age.ConclusionThese observations indicate that genetic factors are important for understanding stable individual differences in behavioural problems across childhood and adolescence, although novel genetic influences also facilitate change in such behaviours.

Stability of Genetic and Environmental In‘uences on Reading Performance at 7 and 12 Years of Age in the Colorado Adoption Project

1999 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Wadsworth ◽  
D. W. Fulker ◽  
J. C. DeFries
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Middle Childhood ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Reading Performance ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Sibling Pairs ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Colorado Adoption Project

Results obtained from longitudinal studies suggest that individual differences in reading performance are relatively stable over time. However, the aetiology of this stability has not been previously explored. In the current study, the aetiology of longitudinal stability of reading performance between 7 and 12 years of age was assessed using data from adoptive (97 unrelated sibling pairs at age 7 and 73 pairs at age 12) and nonadoptive (106 related pairs at age 7 and 75 pairs at age 12) children tested in the Colorado Adoption Project. Results of a bivariate behavioural genetic analysis confirmed earlier findings of moderate genetic influence on individual differences in reading performance at both 7 and 12 years of age ( h2 = .49 and .37, respectively). Moreover, about 70% of the observed stability ( r = .61) between the two ages was due to common genetic influences. Of special interest, no new heritable or shared environmental variation was manifested at age 12, suggesting that the same genetic and shared environmental influences were operating at both ages. In contrast, nonshared environmental influences (e.g. instructional methods, teachers, peers, etc.) were responsible for change between 7 and 12 years of age, indicating the salience of such factors for the development of reading performance between middle childhood and adolescence.

Investigating genetic and environmental contributions to adolescent externalizing behavior in a collectivistic culture: a multi-informant twin study

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1989-1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Chen ◽  
J. Yu ◽  
J. Zhang ◽  
X. Li ◽  
M. McGue
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Externalizing Behavior ◽  
Child Behavior Checklist ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Chinese Adolescents ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Genetic Analyses ◽  
Teacher Report Form

BackgroundLittle is known about the etiology of adolescents’ externalizing behavior (Ext) in collectivistic cultures. We aimed to fill this gap by investigating the genetic and environmental influences on Ext in Chinese adolescents. The etiological heterogeneity of aggression (AGG) and rule breaking (RB) was also examined.MethodThe study sample included 908 pairs of same-sex twins aged from 10 to 18 years (mean = 13.53 years, s.d. = 2.26). Adolescents’ Ext were assessed with the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment including Child Behavior Checklist, Teacher Report Form, and Youth Self-Report.ResultsUnivariate genetic analyses showed that genetic influences on all measures were moderate ranging from 34% to 50%, non-shared environmental effects ranged from 23% to 52%, and shared environmental effects were significant in parent- and teacher-reported measures ranging from 29% to 43%. Bivariate genetic analyses indicated that AGG and RB shared large genetic influences (rg = 0.64–0.79) but moderate non-shared environmental factors (re = 0.34–0.52).ConclusionsChinese adolescents’ Ext was moderately influenced by genetic factors. AGG and RB had moderate independent genetic and non-shared environmental influences, and thus constitute etiologically distinct dimensions within Ext in Chinese adolescents. The heritability of AGG, in particular, was smaller in Chinese adolescents than suggested by previous data obtained on Western peers. This study suggests that the collectivistic cultural values and Confucianism philosophy may attenuate genetic potential in Ext, especially AGG.

scholarly journals Genetic and environmental factors affecting self-esteem from age 14 to 17: a longitudinal study of Finnish twins

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 1625-1633 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANU RAEVUORI ◽  
DANIELLE M. DICK ◽  
ANNA KESKI-RAHKONEN ◽  
LEA PULKKINEN ◽  
RICHARD J. ROSE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Twin Data ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Quantitative Genetic ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

ABSTRACTBackgroundWe analysed genetic and environmental influences on self-esteem and its stability in adolescence.MethodFinnish twins born in 1983–1987 were assessed by questionnaire at ages 14 (n=4132 twin individuals) and 17 years (n=3841 twin individuals). Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg global self-esteem scale and analyzed using quantitative genetic methods for twin data in the Mx statistical package.ResultsThe heritability of self-esteem was 0·62 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·56–0·68] in 14-year-old boys and 0·40 (95% CI 0·26–0·54) in 14-year-old girls, while the corresponding estimates at age 17 were 0·48 (95% CI 0·39–0·56) and 0·29 (95% CI 0·11–0·45). Rosenberg self-esteem scores at ages 14 and 17 were modestly correlated (r=0·44 in boys, r=0·46 in girls). In boys, the correlation was mainly (82%) due to genetic factors, with residual co-variation due to unique environment. In girls, genetic (31%) and common environmental (61%) factors largely explained the correlation.ConclusionsIn adolescence, self-esteem seems to be differently regulated in boys versus girls. A key challenge for future research is to identify environmental influences contributing to self-esteem during adolescence and determine how these factors interact with genetic influences.

scholarly journals Heritability of Cortisol Production and Metabolism Throughout Adolescence

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britt J van Keulen ◽  
Conor V Dolan ◽  
Ruth Andrew ◽  
Brian R Walker ◽  
Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Broad Sense ◽  
Broad Sense Heritability ◽  
Total Contribution ◽  
Cortisol Metabolism ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors

Abstract Context Inter-individual differences in cortisol production and metabolism emerge with age and may be explained by genetic factors. Objective To estimate the relative contributions of genetic and environmental factors to inter-individual differences in cortisol production and metabolism throughout adolescence. Design Prospective follow-up study of twins. Setting Nationwide register. Participants 218 mono- and dizygotic twins (N = 109 pairs) born between 1995 amd 1996, recruited from the Netherlands Twin Register. Cortisol metabolites were determined in 213, 169, and 160 urine samples at the ages of 9, 12, and 17, respectively. Main outcome measures The total contribution of genetic factors (broad-sense heritability) and shared and unshared environmental influences to inter-individual differences in cortisol production and activities of 5α-reductase, 5β-reductase, and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and cytochrome P450 3A4. Results For cortisol production rate at the ages of 9, 12, and 17, broad-sense heritability was estimated as 42%, 30%, and 0%, respectively, and the remainder of the variance was explained by unshared environmental factors. For cortisol metabolism indices, the following heritability was observed: for the A-ring reductases (5α-and 5β-reductases), broad-sense heritability increased with age (to &gt;50%), while for the other indices (renal 11β-HSD2, global 11β-HSD, and CYP3A4), the contribution of genetic factors was highest (68%, 18%, and 67%, respectively) at age 12. Conclusions The contribution of genetic factors to inter-individual differences in cortisol production decreased between 12 and 17y, indicative of a predominant role of individual circumstances. For cortisol metabolism, distinct patterns of genetic and environmental influences were observed, with heritability that either increased with age or peaked at age 12y.

scholarly journals Genetic and environmental influences on aspects of literacy and language in early childhood: Continuity and change from preschool to Grade 2

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Byrne ◽  
William L. Coventry ◽  
Richard K. Olson ◽  
Stefan Samuelsson ◽  
Robin Corley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Continuity And Change

scholarly journals Moderation of Genetic Factors by Parental Divorce in Adolescents' Evaluations of Family Functioning and Subjective Wellbeing

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels van der Aa ◽  
Dorret I. Boomsma ◽  
Irene Rebollo-Mesa ◽  
James J. Hudziak ◽  
Meike Bartels
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Family Functioning ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Parental Divorce ◽  
Environmental Influences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
General Family

AbstractAdolescents' evaluations of family functioning may have a significant impact on their subjective well-being and adjustment. The aim of the study was to investigate the degree to which genetic and environmental influences affect variation in evaluations of general family functioning, family conflict, and quality of life and the overlap between them. We assessed whether genetic and environmental influences are moderated by parental divorce by analyzing self-report data from 6,773 adolescent twins and their non-twin siblings. Genetic, shared, and nonshared environmental influences accounted for variation in general family functioning and family conflict, with genetic influences being relatively more important in girls than boys in general family functioning. Genetic and nonshared environmental influences accounted for variation in quality of life, with genetic influences being relatively more important in girls. Evidence was found for interaction between genetic factors and parental divorce: genetic influence on general family functioning was larger in participants from divorced families. The overlap between general family functioning and quality of life, and family conflict and quality of life was accounted for the largest part by genetic effects, with nonshared environmental effects accounting for the remaining part. By examining the data from monozygotic twins, we found evidence for interaction between genotype and nonshared, non-measured, environmental influences on evaluations of general family functioning, family conflict, and quality of life.

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