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Shared temperament risk factors for anorexia nervosa: a twin study
Tracey D Wade1, Marika Tiggemann, Cynthia M Bulik
1School of Psychology, Flinders University, P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. tracey.wade@flinders.edu.au
Psychosomatic Medicine
|December 26, 2007
Summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is linked to perfectionism and a need for order. Shared genetic factors likely contribute to both AN and these specific temperament traits.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex eating disorder with poorly understood etiological factors.
- Temperament traits are proposed to influence the development and maintenance of AN.
- Investigating shared genetic and environmental liabilities between AN and temperament is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific temperament traits comorbid with anorexia nervosa (AN).
- To determine which temperament traits share transmitted liabilities with AN.
- To explore the familial resemblance of AN and temperament traits.
Main Methods:
- A community sample of 1002 female twins participated in longitudinal data collection.
- Eating disorder diagnoses and features were assessed via interviews.
- Temperament traits were measured using self-report questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Perfectionism (concern over mistakes, personal standards, doubt about actions) and a need for organization were comorbid with AN.
- Co-twins of AN probands reported higher levels of personal standards, organization, and reward dependence compared to controls.
- The association between personal standards and reward dependence persisted in monozygotic twins, suggesting shared liability.
Conclusions:
- AN may stem from a shared familial liability towards a temperament style characterized by perfectionism, orderliness, and reward sensitivity.
- The findings suggest that genetic factors play a role in the shared risk between AN and these temperament traits.
- This research highlights the importance of considering temperament in the etiology of anorexia nervosa.
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