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

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 - 2017/7/26

Y1 - 2017/7/26

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 versus 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 (offspring mean age 15.75 [2.42] years), and the child-based Swedish Twin Study of CHild and Adolescent Development (TCHAD) sample (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 [.16 - .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 versus 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 (offspring mean age 15.75 [2.42] years), and the child-based Swedish Twin Study of CHild and Adolescent Development (TCHAD) sample (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 [.16 - .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 - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85026516473

U2 - 10.1017/S0033291717001908

DO - 10.1017/S0033291717001908

M3 - Article

SN - 1469-8978

JO - Psychological Medicine

JF - Psychological Medicine

ER -