Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
A monozygotic twin differences study of nonshared environmental influence on adolescent depressive symptoms
1Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK. h.liang@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Abstract:
The monozygotic (MZ) twin differences method was used to examine nonshared environmental aspects of the association of parenting (punitive and constructive discipline), negative life events (independent and dependent), and peers (antisocial and prosocial) with adolescent depressive symptoms in terms of sequelae, risk, and maintaining factors. Two self-report booklets were completed by 328 MZ twin pairs aged 12-19 years, 6 months apart. Increased punitive discipline and negative life events were found to be relevant nonshared environmental factors that followed depression. Negative life events were the only factor that had a direct nonshared environmental association with concurrent depressive symptoms in adolescents independent of previous depressive symptoms, and all other study variables.
Related Concept Videos
Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Gene-Environment Interactions
Cognitive Development During Adolescence

