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Genetic co-morbidity between neuroticism, anxiety/depression and somatic distress in a population sample of adolescent and young adult twins

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 November 2011

N. K. Hansell ,
M. J. Wright ,
S. E. Medland ,
T. A. Davenport ,
N. R. Wray ,
N. G. Martin  and
I. B. Hickie
N. K. Hansell*
Affiliation:
Genetic Epidemiology, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
M. J. Wright
Affiliation:
Genetic Epidemiology, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
S. E. Medland
Affiliation:
Genetic Epidemiology, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
T. A. Davenport
Affiliation:
Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
N. R. Wray
Affiliation:
Genetic Epidemiology, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
N. G. Martin
Affiliation:
Genetic Epidemiology, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia
I. B. Hickie
Affiliation:
Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr N. K. Hansell, Genetic Epidemiology, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Post Office, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Queensland, Australia 4029. (Email: Narelle.Hansell@qimr.edu.au)
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Abstract

Background

Genetic studies in adults indicate that genes influencing the personality trait of neuroticism account for substantial genetic variance in anxiety and depression and in somatic health. Here, we examine for the first time the factors underlying the relationship between neuroticism and anxiety/depressive and somatic symptoms during adolescence.

Method

The Somatic and Psychological Health Report (SPHERE) assessed symptoms of anxiety/depression (PSYCH-14) and somatic distress (SOMA-10) in 2459 adolescent and young adult twins [1168 complete pairs (35.4% monozygotic, 53% female)] aged 12–25 years (mean=15.5±2.9). Differences between boys and girls across adolescence were explored for neuroticism, SPHERE-34, and the subscales PSYCH-14 and SOMA-10. Trivariate analyses partitioned sources of covariance in neuroticism, PSYCH-14 and SOMA-10.

Results

Girls scored higher than boys on both neuroticism and SPHERE, with SPHERE scores for girls increasing slightly over time, whereas scores for boys decreased or were unchanged. Neuroticism and SPHERE scores were strongly influenced by genetic factors [heritability (h2)=40–52%]. A common genetic source influenced neuroticism, PSYCH-14 and SOMA-10 (impacting PSYCH-14 more than SOMA-10). A further genetic source, independent of neuroticism, accounted for covariation specific to PSYCH-14 and SOMA-10. Environmental influences were largely specific to each measure.

Conclusions

In adolescence, genetic risk factors indexed by neuroticism contribute substantially to anxiety/depression and, to a lesser extent, perceived somatic health. Additional genetic covariation between anxiety/depressive and somatic symptoms, independent of neuroticism, had greatest influence on somatic distress, where it was equal in influence to the factor shared with neuroticism.

Keywords

Adolescentsanxietydepressionheritabilitysomatic distressSPHEREtwins
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 42 , Issue 6 , June 2012 , pp. 1249 - 1260
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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