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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 592-603 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Psychological medicine |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1 2018 |
Fingerprint
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Applied Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
}
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.; Eley, T. C.
In: Psychological medicine, Vol. 48, No. 4, 01.03.2018, p. 592-603.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Shared genetic influences do not explain the association between parent-offspring relationship quality and offspring internalizing problems
T2 - Results from a Children-of-Twins study
AU - Hannigan, L. J.
AU - Rijsdijk, F. V.
AU - Ganiban, J. M.
AU - Reiss, D.
AU - Spotts, E. L.
AU - Neiderhiser, J. M.
AU - Lichtenstein, P.
AU - McAdams, T. A.
AU - Eley, T. C.
PY - 2018/3/1
Y1 - 2018/3/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85026516473&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85026516473&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S0033291717001908
DO - 10.1017/S0033291717001908
M3 - Article
C2 - 28745264
AN - SCOPUS:85026516473
VL - 48
SP - 592
EP - 603
JO - Psychological Medicine
JF - Psychological Medicine
SN - 0033-2917
IS - 4
ER -