Accounting for Genetic and Environmental Confounds in Associations Between Parent and Child Characteristics: A Systematic Review of Children-of-Twins Studies

TY - JOUR

T1 - Accounting for Genetic and Environmental Confounds in Associations Between Parent and Child Characteristics

T2 - A Systematic Review of Children-of-Twins Studies

AU - McAdams, Thomas

AU - Neiderhiser, Jenae M.

AU - Rijsdijk, Fruhling V.

AU - Narusyte, Jurgita

AU - Lichtenstein, Paul

AU - Eley, Thalia C.

PY - 2014/7/1

Y1 - 2014/7/1

N2 - Parental psychopathology, parenting style, and the quality of intrafamilial relationships are all associated with child mental health outcomes. However, most research can say little about the causal pathways underlying these associations. This is because most studies are not genetically informative and are therefore not able to account for the possibility that associations are confounded by gene-environment correlation. That is, biological parents not only provide a rearing environment for their child, but also contribute 50% of their genes. Any associations between parental phenotype and child phenotype are therefore potentially confounded. One technique for disentangling genetic from environmental effects is the children-of-twins (COT) method. This involves using data sets comprising twin parents and their children to distinguish genetic from environmental associations between parent and child phenotypes. The COT technique has grown in popularity in the last decade, and we predict that this surge in popularity will continue. In the present article we explain the COT method for those unfamiliar with its use. We present the logic underlying this approach, discuss strengths and weaknesses, and highlight important methodological considerations for researchers interested in the COT method. We also cover variations on basic COT approaches, including the extended-COT method, capable of distinguishing forms of gene-environment correlation. We then present a systematic review of all the behavioral COT studies published to date. These studies cover such diverse phenotypes as psychosis, substance abuse, internalizing, externalizing, parenting, and marital difficulties. In reviewing this literature, we highlight past applications, identify emergent patterns, and suggest avenues for future research.

AB - Parental psychopathology, parenting style, and the quality of intrafamilial relationships are all associated with child mental health outcomes. However, most research can say little about the causal pathways underlying these associations. This is because most studies are not genetically informative and are therefore not able to account for the possibility that associations are confounded by gene-environment correlation. That is, biological parents not only provide a rearing environment for their child, but also contribute 50% of their genes. Any associations between parental phenotype and child phenotype are therefore potentially confounded. One technique for disentangling genetic from environmental effects is the children-of-twins (COT) method. This involves using data sets comprising twin parents and their children to distinguish genetic from environmental associations between parent and child phenotypes. The COT technique has grown in popularity in the last decade, and we predict that this surge in popularity will continue. In the present article we explain the COT method for those unfamiliar with its use. We present the logic underlying this approach, discuss strengths and weaknesses, and highlight important methodological considerations for researchers interested in the COT method. We also cover variations on basic COT approaches, including the extended-COT method, capable of distinguishing forms of gene-environment correlation. We then present a systematic review of all the behavioral COT studies published to date. These studies cover such diverse phenotypes as psychosis, substance abuse, internalizing, externalizing, parenting, and marital difficulties. In reviewing this literature, we highlight past applications, identify emergent patterns, and suggest avenues for future research.

KW - children of twins

KW - gene-environment correlation

KW - intergenerational transmission

KW - parenting

KW - psychiatric epidemiology

KW - ADOLESCENT BEHAVIORAL-DEVELOPMENT

KW - OFFSPRING CONDUCT DISORDER

KW - ALCOHOL-USE DISORDER

KW - ANTISOCIAL-BEHAVIOR

KW - DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

KW - INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION

KW - DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY

KW - PATERNAL ALCOHOLISM

KW - MENTAL-HEALTH

KW - BIRTH-WEIGHT

U2 - 10.1037/a0036416

DO - 10.1037/a0036416

M3 - Literature review

SN - 0033-2909

VL - 140

SP - 1138

EP - 1173

JO - Psychological Bulletin

JF - Psychological Bulletin

IS - 4

ER -