Related Experiment Videos
A population-based study of personality in 34,000 sib-pairs
N Martin1, G Goodwin, C Fairburn
1Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK.
Summary
This study demonstrates that large sibling cohorts, like the one surveyed using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), are effective for identifying extreme phenotypes and boosting genetic linkage detection power.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Psychometrics
- Population Genetics
Background:
- Theoretical studies suggest random sibling samples efficiently identify extreme phenotypes.
- Questionnaire-based phenotypes are valuable for large-scale selection strategies.
- Developing a large, randomly ascertained family cohort in Southwest England is the initial step.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a large, randomly ascertained family cohort.
- To administer the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) to a substantial sample.
- To assess the utility of this cohort for genetic studies.
Main Methods:
- Administered the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) via commercial mailing to 88,000 individuals.
- Sample included over 34,000 sibling pairs within 20,000 sibships.
- Sample age range 20-67 years, 59% males, 41% females.
Main Results:
- Descriptive properties of EPQ scales align with other large family cohorts.
- Test-retest correlations for the EPQ N-scale were substantial (r = 0.93).
- Other EPQ scales showed modest test-retest correlations (range r = 0.70-0.88).
- Phenotypic and sibling correlations closely matched twin study findings.
Conclusions:
- The established cohort is suitable for genetic linkage studies.
- The EPQ is a reliable instrument for phenotype assessment in large family cohorts.
- Sibling correlations support the use of such cohorts for genetic research.