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Genetic influences on neonatal temperament
1Louisville Twin Study, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky.
Acta Geneticae Medicae Et Gemellologiae
|January 1, 1990
Summary
This study found no clear genetic influence on neonatal temperament in twins. Environmental factors, including perinatal variables, significantly impacted infant temperament development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Genetics
- Neonatal Studies
Background:
- Temperament is a crucial aspect of early infant development.
- Understanding the interplay between genetics and environment in shaping neonatal temperament is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic contribution to temperament during the neonatal period.
- To explore the influence of environmental and perinatal factors on neonatal temperament.
Main Methods:
- Assessed temperament in 172 newborn infants from 47 monozygotic (MZ) and 39 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs.
- Analyzed zygosity, twin concordance, and correlations with perinatal variables (birth weight, Apgar scores, hospital stay).
Main Results:
- No significant relationship was found between zygosity and neonatal temperament variables.
- While within-pair concordance for temperament was significant, MZ twins were not more similar than DZ twins.
- Neonatal temperament was influenced by perinatal factors like birth weight and Apgar scores.
Conclusions:
- Results suggest that neonatal temperament is primarily influenced by environmental factors, not genetics.
- Nonshared environmental factors play a significant role in temperament variance during the neonatal period.
- Perinatal variables are important determinants of early infant temperament.