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Environmental and genetic variance in children's observed and reported maladaptive behavior
L D Leve1, A A Winebarger, B I Fagot
1Oregon Social Learning Center, Eugene 97401-2426, USA. lesliel@tigger.oslc.org
Child Development
|December 5, 1998
Summary
Genetic factors significantly influence children's maladaptive behavior, accounting for most of the variance. However, shared environmental influences are primary when observing parent-child interactions directly.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Genetics
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Understanding the etiology of maladaptive behavior in children is crucial for early intervention.
- Twin studies are a powerful tool for disentangling genetic and environmental influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic and environmental contributions to children's maladaptive behavior.
- To compare parent-reported behaviors with observed interactive behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a sample of 154 twin pairs (77 MZ, 77 DZ) aged 6-11 years.
- Employed a multimethod, multimeasure approach including parent reports and observational coding.
- Applied behavioral genetic modeling techniques for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Genetic variation accounted for 62% of the variance in parent-reported maladaptive behavior.
- Parental reports indicated a smaller, significant shared environmental contribution.
- Observational data revealed shared environment as the primary source of variance in interactive maladaptive behavior.
Conclusions:
- Parental reports may overestimate genetic contributions and underestimate environmental influences.
- Direct observation highlights the significant role of the shared environment in shaping interactive behaviors.
- Controlling for co-participant behavior shifts the balance towards genetic influence in observed interactions.