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Cited by 102Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentGenetic Associations and EpidemiologyAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 32 of the 32 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Monozygotic twins discordant for major depression: a preliminary exploration of the role of environmental experiences in the aetiology and course of illness

KENDLER, KENNETH S., GARDNER, CHARLES O.·2001·Psychological Medicine
DOI 10.1017/s0033291701003622
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Abstract

Background. Genetic effects upon behaviour are pervasive. To what extent are the many correlates of major depression (MD) due to individual-specific environmental experiences versus genetic factors correlated with risk for MD? Methods. From a population-based twin registry, we identified 72 female monozygotic pairs discordant for a lifetime history of MD and compared the affected and unaffected members on a wide range of putative correlates of MD. Results. The affected twin differed from her unaffected co-twin on many variables, eight of which were maximally discriminating: (i) maternal protectiveness; (ii) conflictual parent–child relationship; (iii) low optimism; (iv) current stressful life events; (v) financial difficulties and a history of (vi) phobia, (vii) nicotine dependence; and (viii) divorce. A cluster analysis suggested three ‘environmental pathways' to MD characterized by: (i) childhood vulnerability and anxiety; (ii) acting-out and demoralization; and (iii) interpersonal difficulties. Conclusion. Important precursors and sequelae of MD originate in environmental experiences unique to the individual and are not mediated through genetic factors or family-of-origin effects. Such environmental factors cause pervasive differences in monozygotic twins discordant for MD, especially in the areas of interpersonal difficulties, psychopathology, social problems and self-concept. These findings should be interpreted in the context of possible retrospective recall bias and the difficulty of distinguishing risk factors from sequelae in co-twin–control studies.

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Metadata

Authors
KENDLER, K. S., & GARDNER, C. O.
Affiliations
Virginia Commonwealth University (US)
ORCID
KENDLER, KENNETH S.
Venue
Psychological Medicine
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2001-04
Volume
31
Issue
3
Pages
411-423
ISSN
  • 0033-2917 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-8978
DOI
10.1017/s0033291701003622
OpenAlex
W2132589140
Cited by
102
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
FWCI
9.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 11 d)
Locations
  • Psychological Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5k05mh001277-05)
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01AA009095, AA-09095)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH-01277, R01MH040828, MH 40828)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
major depressive disorder, monozygotic twins, discordant twins, environmental risk factors, parent-child conflict, optimism, life events, financial hardship, phobia, nicotine dependence, divorce, childhood anxiety, interpersonal problems, etiology of depression, genetic versus environmental factors, co-twin control
MeSH terms
Adult, Alcohol Drinking, Major Depressive Disorder, Environment, Female, Health Status, Humans, Parent-Child Relations, Personality, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Risk Factors, Self Concept, Severity of Illness Index, Twins, Monozygotic, Cluster Analysis, Marital Status, Substance-Related Disorders

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