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The genetic etiology of childhood depressive symptoms: A developmental perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 March 2009

Anita Thapar  and
Peter McGuffin
Anita Thapar*
Affiliation:
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Manchester, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, Manchester M27 4HA, UK
Peter McGuffin
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF4 4XN, UK
*
Anita Thapar, Department of Adolescent and Child Psychiatry, University of Manchester, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, Manchester M27 4HAUK
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Abstract

Although there is some evidence to suggest that depressive symptoms show age-related changes, it remains uncertain as to whether there are also developmental variations in the etiology of depression. In this article, we present findings from a population-based study of twins aged 8 to 16 years with the aim of examining the genetic etiology of depressive symptoms and the effects of age. The results suggest that environmental factors influence the transmission of depressive symptoms in childhood. However depressive symptoms in adolescence appear to be highly heritable. The etiology of depressive symptoms was further explored using factor-derived scores that again suggested the importance of genetic factors in adolescence. However there was some suggestion that genetic influences may contribute to certain types of symptoms (self-deprecation/self-esteem) even in childhood.

Type
Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 8 , Issue 4: Developmental Pathways: Diversity in Process and Outcome , Fall 1996 , pp. 751 - 760
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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