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The structure of the genetic and environmental influences on mental well-being
Corey L M Keyes1, John M Myers, Kenneth S Kendler
1Department of Sociology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. ckeyes@emory.edu
Objectives:
We sought to investigate the structure of the genetic and environmental influences on 3 measures of mental well-being.
Methods:
Analyses focused on the subsample of 349 monozygotic and 321 dizygotic same-sex twin pairs from a nationally representative sample of twins who completed self-report measures of emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Results:
The best-fit model contained a common pathway to all 3 measures of well-being, no shared environmental effects, and 1 set of parameters for men and women. Heritability for the latent "mental well-being" factor was high (72%) and best indexed by psychological well-being. Moderate trait-specific genetic effects were seen for emotional and social well-being. Nonshared environmental effects for all measures were mostly trait specific.
Conclusions:
Genetic influences on the measures of mental well-being reflect a single, highly heritable genetic factor, although some trait-specific genetic influences were seen for emotional and social well-being. Moderate proportions of environmental influences were also shared, but the majority of unique environment was trait-specific.
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