scholarly journals Genetic Vulnerability to Experiencing Child Maltreatment

Author(s):  
Patrizia Pezzoli ◽  
Jan Antfolk ◽  
Alexander Samir Hatoum ◽  
pekka santtila

Although there are multiple forms of experiences of childhood maltreatment (CM), previous research has mainly focused on its different aspects separately. Possible genetic influences on these purportedly environmental causes of later psychopathology have also been largely overlooked. In a large population-based Finnish twin-sample, we investigated the co-occurrence of 55 different adverse experiences and the covariance of the identified latent types of CM. We also estimated the genetic and environmental influences on both the individual adverse experiences and latent types of CM. We found evidence that the reported CM are influenced by genetic factors. Importantly, specific genetic and environmental factors still influenced traits that modulate the risk of sexual abuse after accounting for shared genetic influences on all types of CM and on their covariance. Genes and shared environments differently influenced the occurrence of CM within and outside the family. Finally, we found evidence that heritable traits might bias retrospective self-reports of experiences more susceptible to interpretation.

Author(s):  
Παρασκευή Κορωναίου ◽  
Alexandros - Stamatios Antoniou

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of depression on the mental health of their children, such as the risk of developing depression in adolescent and adulthood. Although the precise mechanisms of linking parental depression to child psychological problems are unknown, genetic and environmental factors seem to play an important role. Surveys have found that children whose parents were diagnosed with depression were two to three times more likely to develop mental problems than those whose parents did not have depression. Because of depression, the individual suffers in basic social and emotional areas and therefore parents with this disorder appear to have deficits in their interactions with their children, with negative consequences for the development of the latter. Parental depression may also affect children's behavior in indirect ways, such as intercourse and divorce in the family. With regard to mother, postpartum depression appears to have an important role, which may have later consequences for the behavior of girls and boys, and depression in the father is seen to have a greater impact on boys who are at greater risk of developing behavioral difficulties. In addition, the potential for emotional difficulties in children increases when the family coexists with both mental health and socio-economic problems, indicating that coping with the particular needs of these families is likely to prevent childhood mental problems.  


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaisu Keskitalo-Vuokko ◽  
Tellervo Korhonen ◽  
Jaakko Kaprio

We investigated genetic and environmental correlations and gene by environment interactions (GxE) between depressive symptoms measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and quantity smoked measured by number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) using quantitative genetic modeling. The population-based sample consisted of 12,063 twin individuals from the Finnish Twin Cohort Study. Bivariate Cholesky decomposition revealed that the phenotypic correlation (r = 0.09) between BDI and CPD was explained by shared genetic (rg = 0.18) and environmental (re = 0.08) factors. GxE models incorporating moderator effects were built by using CPD as trait and BDI as moderator and vice versa. The importance of the genetic variance component increased with increasing moderator value in both models. Thus, the influence of genetic effects on variance of smoking quantity was enhanced in individuals with elevated depression score and vice versa; the genetic effects on depression variance were potentiated among heavy smokers. In conclusion, shared genetic and environmental factors as well as GxE underlie the association of smoking with depression.


2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Opdebeeck ◽  
F. E. Matthews ◽  
Y-T. Wu ◽  
R. T. Woods ◽  
C. Brayne ◽  
...  

BackgroundCognitive reserve (CR) has been associated with better cognitive function and lower risk of depression in older people, yet it remains unclear whether CR moderates the association between mood and cognition. This study aimed to investigate whether a comprehensive indicator of CR, including education, occupation and engagement in cognitive and social activities, acts as a moderator of this association.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study utilising baseline data from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study II (CFAS II), a large population-based cohort of people aged 65+ in England. Complete data on the measures of CR, mood and cognition were available for 6565 dementia-free individuals. Linear regression models were used to investigate the potential modifying effect of CR on the association between cognition and mood with adjustment for age, sex and missing data.ResultsLevels of CR did moderate the negative association between mood and cognition; the difference in cognition between those with and without a clinical level mood disorder was significantly smaller in the middle (−2.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) −3.65 to −0.90) and higher (−1.30; 95% CI −2.46 to −0.15) CR groups compared with the lower CR group (−4.01; 95% CI −5.53 to −2.49). The individual components of CR did not significantly moderate the negative association between mood and cognition.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that CR, indexed by a composite score based on multiple indicators, can moderate the negative association between lowered mood and cognition, emphasising the importance of continuing to build CR across the lifespan in order to maintain cognitive health.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-22
Author(s):  
Karoline B. Seglem ◽  
Fartein A. Torvik ◽  
Espen Røysamb ◽  
Line C. Gjerde ◽  
Per Magnus ◽  
...  

AbstractWork incapacity is a major public health challenge and an economic burden to both society and individuals. Understanding the underlying causes is becoming ever more relevant as many countries face an aging workforce. We examined stability and change in genetic and environmental factors influencing work incapacity from age 18 until retirement, and sex differences in these effects. The large population-based sample comprised information from 28,759 twins followed for up to 23 years combined with high-quality national registry data. We measured work incapacity as the total proportion of potential workdays lost due to sickness absence, rehabilitation and disability benefits. Structural equation modeling with twin data indicated moderate genetic influences on work incapacity throughout life in both men and women, with a high degree of genetic stability from young to old adulthood. Environmental influences were mainly age-specific. Our results indicate that largely the same genetic factors influence individual differences in work incapacity throughout young, middle and older adulthood, despite major differences in degree of work incapacity and probable underlying medical causes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 330-337
Author(s):  
Björn Nordlund ◽  
Cecilia Lundholm ◽  
Vilhelmina Ullemar ◽  
Marianne van Hage ◽  
Anne K. Örtqvist ◽  
...  

Background: The link between asthma and exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to estimate the association between FENO and asthma, taking genetics, sensitization, and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) into account. Methods: A total of 681 twins (53% monozygotic [MZ] and 47% dizygotic [DZ]) from the population-based STOPPA study (mean age 12.6 years) were recruited and information on FENO (parts per billion), parental report of current asthma, sensitization to airborne allergens (Phadiatop; IgE ≥0.35 kUA/l), and ICS-treatment was collected. We estimated the association between FENO and asthma, sensitization, and ICS in all twins and within pairs (DZ and MZ) to address shared genetic and environmental factors. Linear regression of log-transformed FENO was used and results presented as exponentiated regression coefficients (exp[β]), with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: We found an association between asthma and FENO in all twins, exp(β) 1.31 [1.11, 1.54]. In within-pairs analysis, the association was stronger within DZ pairs discordant for FENO, exp(β) 1.50 [1.19, 1.89], compared to MZ pairs, exp(β) 1.07 [0.84, 1.37], p = .049. There was no difference in FENO in non-sensitized children with asthma, compared to children with neither asthma nor sensitization, exp(β) 0.89 [0.77, 1.03]. However, increased FENO was associated with sensitization, exp(β) 1.48 [1.30, 1.69], and with sensitization together with asthma, exp(β) 1.98 [1.57, 2.51], in all twins and within DZ pairs discordant for FENO, but not in MZ pairs. The FENO asthma association remained in DZ pairs without regular ICS-treatment. Conclusions: The association between FENO and asthma is explained by genetics and sensitization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 474-491
Author(s):  
G.V. Belekhova

Subject This article deals with the issues of determining the level of financial literacy, identifying problems, and comparing the financial literacy rates of the population of different areas. Objectives The article aims to identify territorial differences in the overall level of financial literacy of the population of the Northwestern Federal District regions and study the prevalence of problems related to the family budget, using financial products, and risk. Methods For the study, we used a sociological survey and an original methodology for indexing the level of financial literacy of the population based on the methodology of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, taking into account the adults' financial competence system proposed by the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation. Results The article determines the level of financial literacy of the Northwestern Federal District population and identifies similar problems for the District's regions. Conclusions A comparative analysis of the components of financial literacy of the four regions reveals the strengths and weaknesses of each of them. This will help adjust financial literacy programmes being implemented in some regions and developed in others.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyoti Narayan Patra ◽  
Jayanta Mete

Values are like seeds that sprout, become saplings, grow into trees and spread their branches all around. To be able to think right, to feel the right kind of emotions and to act in the desirable manner are the prime phases of personality development. Building up of values system starts with the individual, moves on to the family and community, reorienting systems, structures and institutions, spreading throughout the land and ultimately embracing the planet as a whole. The culture of inclusivity is particularly relevant and important in the context of our society, nation and making education a right for all children.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (10(79)) ◽  
pp. 12-18
Author(s):  
G. Bubyreva

The existing legislation determines the education as "an integral and focused process of teaching and upbringing, which represents a socially important value and shall be implemented so as to meet the interests of the individual, the family, the society and the state". However, even in this part, the meaning of the notion ‘socially significant benefit is not specified and allows for a wide range of interpretation [2]. Yet the more inconcrete is the answer to the question – "who and how should determine the interests of the individual, the family and even the state?" The national doctrine of education in the Russian Federation, which determined the goals of teaching and upbringing, the ways to attain them by means of the state policy regulating the field of education, the target achievements of the development of the educational system for the period up to 2025, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of October 4, 2000 #751, was abrogated by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of March 29, 2014 #245 [7]. The new doctrine has not been developed so far. The RAE Academician A.B. Khutorsky believes that the absence of the national doctrine of education presents a threat to national security and a violation of the right of citizens to quality education. Accordingly, the teacher has to solve the problem of achieving the harmony of interests of the individual, the family, the society and the government on their own, which, however, judging by the officially published results, is the task that exceeds the abilities of the participants of the educational process.  The particular concern about the results of the patriotic upbringing served as a basis for the legislative initiative of the RF President V. V. Putin, who introduced the project of an amendment to the Law of RF "About Education of the Russian Federation" to the State Duma in 2020, regarding the quality of patriotic upbringing [3]. Patriotism, considered by the President of RF V. V. Putin as the only possible idea to unite the nation is "THE FEELING OF LOVE OF THE MOTHERLAND" and the readiness for every sacrifice and heroic deed for the sake of the interests of your Motherland. However, the practicing educators experience shortfalls in efficient methodologies of patriotic upbringing, which should let them bring up citizens, loving their Motherland more than themselves. The article is dedicated to solution to this problem based on the Value-sense paradigm of upbringing educational dynasty of the Kurbatovs [15].


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