Shared genetic influences do not explain the association between parent–offspring relationship quality and offspring internalizing problems: results from a Children-of-Twins study

Hannigan, L.J. , Rijsdijk, F.V., Ganiban, J.M., Reiss, D., Spotts, E.L., Neiderhiser, J.M., Lichtenstein, P., McAdams, T.A. and Eley, T.C. (2018) Shared genetic influences do not explain the association between parent–offspring relationship quality and offspring internalizing problems: results from a Children-of-Twins study. Psychological Medicine, 48, pp. 592-603. (doi: 10.1017/S0033291717001908) (PMID:28745264) (PMCID:PMC5964471)

[img]
Preview
Text
163367.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

410kB

Abstract

Background: Associations between parenting and child outcomes are often interpreted as reflecting causal, social influences. However, such associations may be confounded by genes common to children and their biological parents. To the extent that these shared genes influence behaviours in both generations, a passive genetic mechanism may explain links between them. Here we aim to quantify the relative importance of passive genetic v. social mechanisms in the intergenerational association between parent–offspring relationship quality and offspring internalizing problems in adolescence. Methods: We used a Children-of-Twins (CoT) design with data from the parent-based Twin and Offspring Study of Sweden (TOSS) sample [909 adult twin pairs and their offspring; offspring mean age 15.75 (2.42) years], and the child-based Swedish Twin Study of CHild and Adolescent Development (TCHAD) sample [1120 adolescent twin pairs; mean age 13.67 (0.47) years]. A composite of parent-report measures (closeness, conflict, disagreements, expressions of affection) indexed parent–offspring relationship quality in TOSS, and offspring self-reported internalizing symptoms were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) in both samples. Results: A social transmission mechanism explained the intergenerational association [r = 0.21 (0.16–0.25)] in our best-fitting model. A passive genetic transmission pathway was not found to be significant, indicating that parental genetic influences on parent–offspring relationship quality and offspring genetic influences on their internalizing problems were non-overlapping. Conclusion: These results indicate that this intergenerational association is a product of social interactions between children and parents, within which bidirectional effects are highly plausible. Results from genetically informative studies of parenting-related effects should be used to help refine early parenting interventions aimed at reducing risk for psychopathology.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:The Twin and Offspring Study in Sweden was supported by Grant R01MH54610 from the National Institute of Mental Health. The TCHAD study is funded by the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (project 2004-0383) and the Swedish Research Council (2004-1415). This study presents independent research part-funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. LJH is supported by a 1 + 3 Ph.D. studentship from the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). TAM is supported by a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship, jointly funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society (107706/Z/15/Z). This work was completed the support of The Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hannigan, Dr Laurie
Authors: Hannigan, L.J., Rijsdijk, F.V., Ganiban, J.M., Reiss, D., Spotts, E.L., Neiderhiser, J.M., Lichtenstein, P., McAdams, T.A., and Eley, T.C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
Journal Name:Psychological Medicine
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
ISSN:0033-2917
ISSN (Online):1469-8978
Published Online:26 July 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Cambridge University Press
First Published:First published in Psychological Medicine 48:592-603
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record