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Genetic and environmental influences on coping styles: a twin study
A Busjahn1, H D Faulhaber, K Freier
1Franz Volhard Clinic, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Medical Faculty of the Charité, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. busjahn@fvk-berlin.de
Psychosomatic Medicine
|August 12, 1999
Summary
Genetic factors significantly influence coping styles, challenging the view that they are solely environmentally determined. This study highlights the substantial role of heredity in shaping how individuals cope with stress.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Psychology
Background:
- Coping styles are traditionally attributed to environmental factors, particularly family upbringing.
- Emerging evidence suggests genetic influences on personality traits may extend to coping mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of heredity in the development of various coping styles.
- To differentiate between genetic and environmental contributions to coping behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 19 coping styles and 4 secondary coping factors in 212 monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs.
- Employed structural equation modeling to analyze genetic and environmental influences.
Main Results:
- All assessed coping styles demonstrated significant genetic influences.
- A single common genetic factor influenced all coping styles, with additional unique genetic factors for each style.
- Shared environmental factors had minimal impact; most coping styles were primarily genetically determined.
Conclusions:
- Heredity plays a crucial role in coping style preferences, beyond its influence on personality and temperament.
- Further twin studies are needed to clarify the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in coping and personality.
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