Does the level of family dysfunction moderate the impact of genetic factors on the personality trait of neuroticism?
GROUND: While the family environment can directly influence later risk for psychopathology, dysfunction in the family of origin may also moderate the impact of genetic factors on liability for psychiatric disorders. Can a similar pattern be seen for the personality trait of Neuroticism (N)-which is a risk factor for many psychiatric conditions? METHOD: Our sample of 957 complete female-female twin pairs from a population-based register had measures of self-reported N and multiple reporters (twin, co-twin, mother, father) for family dysfunction (FD). Statistical analysis was conducted by traditional regression analysis and a moderator structural equation twin model operationalized in the computer program Mx. RESULTS: Dividing the sample into quartiles based on increasing levels of FD, the mean of N increased substantially while correlations of N in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins were relatively constant. Regression analyses did not suggest greater twin resemblance for N with
Related Questions
- Does the level of family dysfunction moderate the impact of genetic factors on the personality trait of neuroticism?
- Did the researchers consider the possible impact of such factors as home life or family situation?
- Can genetic factors explain the spillover of warmth and negativity across family relationships?
