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

Richard Rende, Cheryl Slomkowski, Elizabeth Lloyd-Richardson, Laura Stroud, Raymond Niaura

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)237-243
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Volume35
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

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