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Spouse similarity for antisocial behaviour in the general population
G Galbaud du Fort1, L J Boothroyd, R C Bland
1Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Centre for Civic Epidemiology and Community Studies, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Psychological Medicine
|November 29, 2002
Summary
Spouses show a moderate link for child conduct disorder and a strong link for adult antisocial behavior. This suggests adult antisocial behavior may be due to partner selection, not relationship influence.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Limited research exists on spousal similarity for antisocial behavior.
- Previous studies have not differentiated between child conduct disorder (CCD) and adult antisocial behavior (AAB).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spousal similarity for CCD and AAB.
- To examine if spousal similarity for AAB is independent of CCD and comorbid disorders.
- To explore the reasons behind spousal similarity for AAB.
Main Methods:
- Studied 519 spouse pairs using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule.
- Analyzed lifetime symptoms and DSM-III criteria for CCD, AAB, antisocial personality disorder, and comorbid diagnoses.
- Employed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
Main Results:
- Observed moderate spousal similarity for CCD (OR = 4.02).
- Found strong spousal similarity for AAB (OR = 20.1), independent of CCD and comorbid disorders.
- Evidence suggests assortative mating, not marital contamination, drives AAB similarity.
Conclusions:
- Strong spousal similarity for AAB has clinical and research implications.
- Recommends considering AAB as a distinct diagnostic entity, diverging from DSM-IV.
- Highlights the importance of partner selection in the etiology of AAB.
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