Estimating genetic and environmental influences on depressive symptoms in adolescence: differing effects on higher and lower levels of symptoms

Citation

Rende, R.; Slomkowski, C.; Lloyd-Richardson, E.; Stroud, L.; & Niaura, R. (2006). Estimating genetic and environmental influences on depressive symptoms in adolescence: differing effects on higher and lower levels of symptoms. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. vol. 35 (2) pp. 237-243

Abstract

We estimate the relative effect sizes of genetic and environmental influences on both higher and lower levels of depressive symptoms with attention to persistence over a 1-year period in the genetically informative subsample of adolescents participating in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Shared environmental effects were significant for persistent higher levels of depressive symptoms but not nonpersistent symptoms. Genetic effects were significant for both persistent and nonpersistent lower levels of depressive symptoms. Nongenetic factors that promote similarity between siblings for high levels of depressive symptoms are important and should be considered in both etiological and applied research. Genetic contributions to lack of susceptibility to depression should be considered in biological models of depression suppression.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15374424jccp3502_7

Keyword(s)

Adolescent

Notes

Rende, Richard

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol

Author(s)

Rende, R.
Slomkowski, C.
Lloyd-Richardson, E.
Stroud, L.
Niaura, R.

Year Published

2006

Volume Number

35

Issue Number

2

Pages

237-243

Edition

2006/04/07

ISSN/ISBN

1537-4416 (Print)

DOI

10.1207/s15374424jccp3502_7

Reference ID

1783