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Drinking behavior in the Colorado adoptee and twin sample.

W F Gabrielli, R Plomin

    Journal of Studies on Alcohol
    |January 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary

    Genetic factors may influence alcohol drinking behaviors, but nonadditive genetic variance contributes more to differences than similarities. Shared family environments do not significantly increase drinking behavior similarity in siblings.

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    Area of Science:

    • Behavioral Genetics
    • Psychology
    • Twin Studies

    Background:

    • Understanding the etiology of alcohol drinking behaviors is crucial.
    • Twin and adoption studies are key methodologies for disentangling genetic and environmental influences.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To estimate the similarity in drinking behavior within various sibling and adoptee pairs.
    • To investigate the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to alcohol consumption patterns.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of drinking behavior similarity in adult Colorado twin pairs, nontwin sibling pairs, and unrelated adoptees reared together (N=346).
    • Utilizing a broader sample than twin-only studies to enhance analytical power.

    Main Results:

    • Findings suggest that certain alcohol drinking behaviors may be genetically influenced.
    • Genetic variance appears primarily nonadditive, contributing more to differences than similarities among relatives.
    • A special family environmental similarity was identified for both identical and fraternal twins, not shared by nontwin siblings.
    • Environmental influences on individual differences in drinking behavior tend to increase dissimilarity.

    Conclusions:

    • The study provides evidence for genetic influences on some alcohol drinking behaviors.
    • Nonadditive genetic effects and specific twin-shared environments play a role, while general family environment similarity has limited impact.
    • Results challenge the notion that shared upbringing substantially drives similarity in drinking behavior characteristics.

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