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The familial aggregation of common psychiatric and substance use disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey: A family history study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Kenneth S. Kendler ,
Christopher G. Davis  and
Ronald C. Kessler
Kenneth S. Kendler*
Affiliation:
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioural Genetics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, US
Christopher G. Davis
Affiliation:
Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, US
Ronald C. Kessler
Affiliation:
Harvard Medical School, Boston, and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
*
Dr K. S. Kendler, Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Virginia, Box 980126, Richmond, VA23298-0126, USA
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Abstract

Background

Most family studies of psychiatric disorders examine one syndrome at a time, and identify probands in clinical rather than epidemiological settings.

Method

In the National Comorbidity Survey, 5877 respondents were asked about the history of five psychiatric disorders in their parents: major depression (MD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), antisocial personality disorder (ASP), alcohol abuse/dependence (AAD) and drug abuse/dependence (DAD).

Results

Significant familial aggregation was seen for all disorders. Controlling for other disorders produced only modest reductions in the odds ratios for MD. GAD and AAD and larger reductions for ASP and DAD. The familial transmission of these disorders can be explained by underlying vulnerabilities to internalising and to externalising disorders transmitted across generations with moderate fidelity.

Conclusions

Familial aggregation of common psychiatric and substance use disorders is substantial in epidemiologic samples. The examined environmental adversities account for little of the observed parent-offspring transmission of these conditions.

Information

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 6 , June 1997 , pp. 541 - 548
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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