The effect of genetic and environmental factors on the internalizing behavior of children: a twin study / 中华医学遗传学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the impacts of genetic and environmental factors on the internalizing behaviors of children using quantitative genetic analysis designed for twin study.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and eighty nine twin pairs aged 6-16 years were studied using parental information of Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales-II and General Health Questionnaire-12. The heritability of the internalizing behavior of children was also estimated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The heritability of the internalizing behavior of the children was 0.54, which differed in different age and sex. (2) Family adaptability and parental mental health status had significant correlation with the internalizing behavior of children (r=-0.213, 0.250, 0.309, respectively, Ps <0.001),especially the mental health status of the mother (OR=2.483, P=0.008).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The internalizing behavior of children was influenced by genetic and environmental factors including family function and parental mental health status. It differed in different age and sex.</p>