Research progress on the effect of family environmental factors on adolescent depression patients / 四川精神卫生

This article presents a review on the effect of family environmental factors on adolescent depression patients， in which the domestic and foreign literature on the family environment of adolescent depression patients are thoroughly reviewed with the emphasis of the relevant concepts， assessment tools， impact effects and potential mechanisms， and the research progress， existing limitations and directions for future research are summarized. Additionally， the awareness of the negative family environment associated with depression derives specific reference values for the early identification and prevention of adolescent depression.

Childhood trauma and the plasma levels of IL-6, TNF-α are risk factors for major depressive disorder and schizophrenia in adolescents: A cross-sectional and case-control study.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that childhood trauma and inflammation are associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SZ), but previous researches were almost aimed at adults. The aim of the present research is to observe the alteration of peripheral interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in adolescents (12-20 years) with MDD and SZ, to investigate the impact of childhood abuse in early-onset MDD and SZ, and to furtherly explore the correlation between childhood maltreatment and plasma IL-6, TNF-α levels. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is applied to obtain the plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α in 55 patients with MDD, 51 patients with SZ and 47 healthy minors. The short form of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF) is used to assess the severity of early trauma. RESULTS: Plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels are significantly elevated in patients with early-onset MDD and SZ compared with healthy subjects (p <0.01), whose results display that the correlation between IL-6 and TNF-α is significantly positive (γ=0.787, p <0.01) in all participants. Compared with the healthy adolescents, patients with MDD and SZ show more serious childhood trauma, and the plasma IL-6, TNF-α concentrations are closely related to childhood maltreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Early trauma and peripheral inflammatory response play an important role in the pathophysiology of early-onset MDD or SZ. The current findings provide effective targets for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of major depressive disorder and schizophrenia in adolescents.

Exploration of the relationship between sleep quality and negative life events and coping styles in adolescents based on structural equation model / 四川精神卫生

ObjectiveTo explore the correlation of sleep quality with negative life events and coping styles in adolescents based on structural equation modeling， and to provide references for improving the adolescents' sleep quality. MethodsFrom December 2021 to May 2022， a total of 767 junior middle school students from three schools in Chongqing were enrolled， and assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）， Adolescent Self-rating Life Events Checklist （ASLEC） and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire （SCSQ）. Then the structural equation model was applied to discuss the correlation of sleep quality with negative life events and coping styles in adolescents. ResultsA total of 222 adolescents （28.94%） were found to have sleep disorders. PSQI score was positively correlated with ASLEC score and negative coping dimension score of SCSQ （r=0.612， 0.590， P<0.01）， and negatively correlated with positive coping dimension score of SCSQ （r=-0.435， P<0.01）. The structural equation model of the relationship between negative life events， coping styles and sleep quality denoted that negative life events exhibited both direct and indirect positive effects on sleep quality （β=0.448， 0.322， P<0.05）， positive coping style had direct negative effects on sleep quality （β=-0.368， P<0.05）， and negative coping style had direct positive effects on sleep quality （β=0.442， P<0.05）. ConclusionNegative life events and negative coping style cause adverse effects on adolescents' sleep quality， while positive coping style exerts positive effects on adolescents' sleep quality.

Thoughts on applying MOOC to the abnormal psychology teaching of graduate students majoring in applied psychology in medical colleges and universities / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Combining with the currently applied psychology teaching mode of medical colleges and universities, regarding the core curriculum, abnormal psychology, as the object, we have explored the new teaching mode of graduate students majoring in applied psychology based on massive open online courses (MOOC), and promoted the fusion of classroom theory teaching, hospital practice, and MOOC course, so as to guide teaching reform of applied psychology and improve the quality of personnel training.

The investigation of students' attitude to psychiatry and the teaching quality evaluation in clinical practice teaching / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective To understand students' attitude changes before and after they started their internships in the department of psychiatry and evaluate their teachers' teaching methods. Methods Using a self-made questionnaire of Psychiatric Internship Attitude that has passed the reliability and validity test, from 2015 to 2016, a total of 208 undergraduate students in the clinical medicine mental health direction of Chongqing Medical University were selected through cluster random sampling to investigate their attitude changes towards psychiatry before and after they started their internships. At the end of their internships, another self-made Psychiatric Teach Evaluation Forming Questionnaire of the reliability and validity test was used to preliminarily evaluate the students' assessment of the teaching situation of their teachers during the internship. Results Before the internships, through the survey we found that 44.2% of the students felt nervous, 37.0% fearful, 57.2% compassionate, and the percentage of students who were willing to work in the department of psychiatry is only 41.4%. Through investigation, teachers carried out the teaching work with targeted goals, at the end of the internship the tension and fear decreased to 0.0%, the proportion of empathy rose to 78.4%, and the differences are statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The students' attitude survey at the beginning of their internship can help teachers improve their teaching attitudes, con-cepts and methods, and make students' negative attitudes towards mental patients and psychiatry significantly reduce.

Correlation of adolescents internalizing problem behavior with genetic and environmental factors / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the relationship of adolescents internalizing problem behavior with genetic and environmental factors. Methods The internalizing problem behavior of 74 twin pairs from Chongqing(aged from 12 to18 years) were investigated using The Youth Self-Report (YSR). The family adaptability and cohesion evaluationscale 2nd edition Chinese version (FACES Ⅱ-CV), Family Stresses Questionnaire (FSQ), the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), Stressful Life Event (SLE) and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ ) were applied to assess their environment factors and coping style. The blood sample was collected to verify zygosity of twins. Structural equation modeling (SEM)was performed to evaluate the relationship of adolescents internalizing problem behavior with the additive genetic factors(A),shared environment factors(C)and individual specific environmental factors(E). Results The scores of PSDQ and FSQ FACES Ⅱ-CV SCSQ were no significantly different between homozygotic and dizygotic twins(P>0.05).There were significantly negative correlation between internalizing problem behavior and family cohesion (r=0.223, P=0.011).The scores of adolescent internalizing problem behavior were positively correlated with the scores of family stresses(r=0.232, P=0.008), the scores of Authoritarian-parenting-style(r=0.206, P=0.018), the scores of negative coping style (r=0.408, P=0.001);the scores of adolescents internalizing behavioral problems were not significantly correlated with the scores of the stress life events, and the scores of the parenting education level and occupation.The effects of A and E on adolescent internalizing problem behavior were 0.51(95%CI:0.27~0.69)and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.31~0.73) respectively. Conclusion Environmental factors and genetic factors contribute equally to adolescents internalizing problem behavior, which is affected by the authoritarian-parenting-style, family stresses, family cohesion and negative coping style.

A twin study of behavioral problems and relations to genetic and environmental factors in adolescents / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To explore the relations of adolescents'behavioral problems to genetic and environmental factors.Methods:66 twin pairs aged 12 to 18 years in Chongqing were included in the study.The Youth Self-Report (YSR) was used to evaluate behavioral problems.The blood sample was collected to identify zygosity of twins.Genetic effects were evaluated by comparing the phenotypic correlationamong monozygotic twins(rMZ) and the phenotypic correlation among dizygotic twins(rDZ).Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to evaluate the relations of adolescents behavioral problems to the additive genetic factors (A),shared environment factors (C) and individual specific environmental factors (E).Results:MZ correlations of Social problems and Delinquency were less than DZ correlations(rMZ ＜ rDZ).It prompted that data was not suitable for genetic analysis.MZ correlations(rMZ) of any others (including social withdrawal,somatic complaints,anxiety/depression,thinking problem,attention problems,self-destructive/identity problem)were less than 2DZ correlations (2rDZ).It prompted to fit the ACE model.The optimal model was AE model.Among the contribution of the additive genetic factors (A) and individual specific environmental factors (E)to the total variance,the genetic factors ranged from 0.52 to 0.57 and individual specific environmental factors ranged from 0.43 to 0.48 in anxiety/depression and self-destructive/identity problem.For social withdrawal,somatic complaints,thinking problem and attention problems,the genetic factors ranged from 0.17 to 0.45and individual specific environmental factors ranged from 0.55 to 0.83.Conclusion:There is no obvious relationship between genetic effects and adolescent social problems or delinquency.Other behaviors problems (social withdrawal,somatic complaints,anxiety/depression,thinking problem,attention problem,self-destructive/identity problem)are correlated with additive genetic factors and individual specific environmental factors.Additive genetic factors have high-correlation with anxiety/depression and self-destructive/identity problem,and individual specific environmental factors have high-correlation with other factors.

The characteristic of fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation in depression patients with suicidal ideation:a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the characteristic of fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and the relationship with the severity of depression, suicidal ideation and suicide risk in depression patients with suicidal ideation with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Methods Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging maps were conducted using fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF) in 52 depression patients (30 with suicidal ideation and 22 without) and 21 healthy controls (HCs). The severity of depression was evaluat-ed by using Hamilton Depression scale(HAMD). The suicidal ideation, the suicide risk in depression patients with sui-cidal ideation were both assessed by the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. The correlation between the fALFF value and the score of HAMD and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation was analyzed. Results MRI revealed significant differences in fALFF in the left superior/middle occipital gyrus and the right middle/inferior occipital gyrus (P<0.05, AlphaSim cor-rected)between depression patients with suicidal ideation and the HCs. Compared to the HCs, depression patients with-out suicidal ideation showed a higher fALFF in the left middle occipital gyrus (P<0.05, AlphaSim corrected). MRI re-vealed significant differences in fALFF in the left middle occipital gyrus (P<0.01, AlphaSim corrected)and the right mid-dle occipital gyrus (P<0.01, AlphaSim corrected) between depression patients with suicidal ideation and without. The fALFF of left middle occipital gyrus (r=0.366, P=0.046) and right middle occipital gyrus (r=0.513, P=0.004) were posi-tively correlated with the scores of HAMD, respectively whereas were not correlated with suicidal ideation and suicide risk. Conclusions Depression patients with suicidal ideation have an abnormal spontaneous activity in their left and right middle occipital gyrus. The increased activity in these brain areas are probably associated with the severity of de-pression whereas are not associated with suicidal ideation or suicide risk.

A twin study on influential factors of adolescent depressive symptoms / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the influence of genetic and environmental factors on adolescents depressive symptoms. Methods The depressive mood were investigated in 107 twin pairs from Chongqing (aged from 11 to 18 years old) using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionaire (PSDQ), Family Stresses Questionnaire (FSQ), Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale 2nd Edition Chinese Version (FACES II-CV) and Stressful Life Event (SLE) were applied to assess their environment factors. The blood samples were collected to identify zygosity of twins. Structural equation model was performed to evaluate the effects of the additive genetic factors (A), shared envi?ronment factors (C) and individual specific environmental factors (E) on the adolescents depressive mood. Results The scores of depressive mood were negatively correlated with father’s education level (r=-0.15, P=0.03), mother’s educa?tion level (r=-0.17, P=0.01), scores of the authoritative-parenting-style (r=-0.18, P0.05). The effects of A and E on adolescents depressive symptoms were 0.37 (95%CI:0.14~0.57) and 0.63 (95%CI:0.43~0.86), respectively. Conclusion The authoritative-parenting-style and fami?ly adaptability are negatively correlated with depressive mood. Family stresses are positively correlated with depressive mood. Adolescents depressive mood is influenced by genetic factors and, to a greater extent, specific environmental factors.

Effect of hereditary and environmental factors on the executive function of twin children / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the executive function of twin children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The executive function of 122 twin pairs from Chongqing (aged from 6 to 18 years) were investigated with the perseverative errors of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Structural equation modeling was performed to evaluate the effects of the additive genetic factors (A), dominance genetic latent factors (D) and individual specific environmental factors (E) on the executive functions.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The effects of D and E on perseverative errors were 0. 77 (95%CI: 0.65-0.84) and 0.23 (95%CI: 0.16-0.35), respectively. The probability of perseverative errors showed a significant negative correlation with family functioning and with the total GHQ-12 scores of the fathers and mothers (r:-0.335, -0.335, and -0.219, respectively, P<0.01). Perseverative errors were not significantly correlated with the parenting styles and stress life events.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Perseverative errors are influenced by a common dominance genetic latent factor and individual specific environmental factors, but the role of environmental factors such as family functioning and parental health can not be ignored.</p>

A twin study of genetic effects on intelligence development of children and adolescents / 重庆医学

Objective Using twins methods to explore the influence of genetic and environmental factor on Intelligence develop-ment of children and adolescent twins .Methods It was 190 pair of twins aged 6 to 18 who lived in Chongqing were recruited ,DNA were extracted from buccal mucosa and venous blood samples to identify zygosity .The intelligence was investigated by using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children(C-WISC) ,the intrapair correlation coefficients of twins were compared and calculate the genetic degrees .Results The total IQ of children aged 6 to 18 heritability were 0 .63 ,Verbal IQ were 0 .44 ,Performance IQ were 0 .57 .The total IQ heritability of children aged 10 to 14 and 15 to 18 years(0 .78 ,0 .79) were higher than that of those aged from 6 to 9 years(0 .018) .Conclusion This study suggested the intelligence of children aged 6 to 18 affected by genetic and environment , and the older ,the more influence of genetic on intelligence development .

Research on amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in patients with major depression based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging / 生物医学工程学杂志

We investigated the baseline brain activity level in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) by am plitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) based on resting-state functional MRI (fMRI). We examined 13 patients in the MDD group and 14 healthy volunteers in the control group by resting-state fMRI on GE Signa 3.0T. We calculated and compared the ALFF values of the two groups. In the MDD group, ALFF values in the right medial prefrontal were higher than those in control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.001). ALFF values in the left parietal in the MDD group were lower than those in control group with statistically significant differences (P < 0.001). This resting-state fMRI study suggested that the alteration brain activity in the right medial prefrontal and left parietal ALFF contributed to the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism of MDD patients.

Genetic and environmental influences on emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the influence of genetic and environmental factors on emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents using twins quantitative method. Methods One hundred fifty-six twins pairs, aged from 6 to 18, were included in the present study. The parental version of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)was used to evaluate their emotional and behavioral problems. The DNA test of twin zygosity was conducted using DNA extracted from buccal mucosa or venous blood samples. The influence of genetic and environmental factors on emo-tional and behavioral problems was analyzed using structural equation modeling(SEM). Results Shared environment and special environment had impact on emotional symptoms and their contribution to the total variance of emotional symp- tom was 0.42 and 0.58, respectively. Prosocial behavior was mainly affected by shared environment and the contribution of shared environment to the total variance of prosocial behavior was 0.89. Genetic factors had greater influence on hyperac-tivity/attention deficit and the contribution of genetic factors to the total variance was 0.62. Shared environment had more influence on conduct disorder and the contribution of shared environment to total variance was 0.56. Heredity, shared envi-ronment and special environment had impact on peer problems and their contribution to the total variance was 0.24, 0.33 and 0.43, respectively. Conclusion In child and adolescent period, emotional symptoms are only affected by environ-ment, while behavior problems are affected by the combination of heredity and environment. Different behavior problems are affected by different genetic and environmental factors.

The relationship between social anxiety and self-esteem, self-awareness in grade 4-6 primary students / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the status of social anxiety and study the relationship between social anxiety and self-consciousness,self-esteem among primary students.MethodsUsing stratified randomization sampling method,568 primary students in grade 4 ～ 6 were investigated with social anxiety scale for children( SASC ),self-consciousness scale for children(PHCSS) and self-esteem scale(SES).Results①The score of SASC in the group of primary students was obviously higher than that of Chinese norm (P＜0.01).②The SASC and negative evaluation scores in the female were higher than the male (P ＜ 0.05 ),the negative evaluation scores in the sixth grade (3.22 ± 2.82) was higher than the fifth grade (2.53 ± 2.76,P ＜ 0.01 ) and fourth grade ( 2.54 ± 2.68,P＜ 0.05 ).The primary students in migrant workers elementary school,the single parent family and the relatively low income family had higher social anxiety scores than others(P＜0.05 ).③The SASC and two major factors were significantly negative correlated with the self-consciousness and each subscale( r =-0.202 ～ -0.511,P ＜ 0.01 ),and positive correlated with the self-esteem( r =0.282,0.270,0.305,P ＜ 0.01 ).④)The anxiety and gregariousness had significant prediction function of 25.5％ on negative evaluation,and 28.2％ on SASC,anxiety,gregariousness,intelligence and school situation had significant prediction function of 20.4％ on social avoidance and distress.ConclusionsPrimary students in grade 4 ～ 6 existed social anxiety.There are significant differences for their level of anxiety in different gender,grade,elementary school,family structure,monthly income.And social anxiety is closely related to self-consciousness and self-esteem.

Mental health of frequent hit-and-run driver and related analysis of life events and personality / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the mental health of the frequent hit-and-run driver,and to explore its relationship with their life events and personality.Methods Stratified cluster sampling method was used to draw 870 motor vehicle drivers,and chose the 620 met the study conditions.They were investigated by the demographic questionnaire,life event scale,symptom check list-90(SCL-90)and eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ).Results (1)The SCL-90 total score and the factor scores of the accident group were significantly higher than the non-accident group(respectively,65.17±39.68 vs 18.65±13.85,9.24±5.44 vs 3.48±2.84,6.96±4.81 vs 1.83±2.11,10.19±7.19 vs 2.53±2.74,7.00±4.96 vs 1.48±1.77,4.68±3.66 vs 1.24±1.48,3.51±3.58 vs 0.62±1.29,3.84±3.36 vs 1.00±1.33,5.34±4.17 vs 1.27±1.72,8.93±6.54 vs 2.96±2.97,6.08±4.81 vs 2.11±2.18),the differences were significant(P＜0.01).(2)The related analysis showed there existed the statistically positive relation between the total scores of SCL-90 and the factors of the life event scale and EPQ expect for the sense of concealing factor(r=0.146～0.393,P＜0.05).(3)Analysis of regression showed the factors of life event and personality had different influences on total scores and factor scores of SCL-90,and negative life events were the most important predictor of SCL-90 total score of frequent hit-and-run driver.Conclusion There are many mental problems among the frequent hit-and-run drivers.Life events,mood and psychoticism factors of personality are important influencing factor to their mental health.

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the adolescent's family satisfaction scale / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective Confirmatory Factor Analysis(CFI)to the adolescent family Satisfaction Scale (AFSS).Methods Investigated 1306 subjects aged from 12 to 23 year old adolescent at school,used of CFI and cross-validation to confirm AFSS structure.Results Obtained revised structure of 3 factors and 23 items,AFSS including 10 items interpersonal atmosphere,7 items parental and children emotional interaction,6 items management style.Fit index X2/df less than 5,RMSEA less than 0.08,GFI,NFI,TFI,IFI more than 0.9,cross-validation and reliability were better.Conclusion The adolescent family satisfaction is first-order structure including three factors,AFSS is a reliable and validity scale for assessing the family satisfaction of adolescents.

Development of mental health of the 104 adolescents: a twin study / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the impact of genetic and environmental factors on mental health status in adolescents twins. Methods A total of 52 pairs of twins aged 11 years were recruited with support from educational committees and school. After the guardians of these twins had signed an informed consent form,the Chinese version growth and the state of health evaluation (Development and Well-Bing Assessment,DAWBA) carries on twins' mental health growth condition investigation to the twins of Age greater than 11-year-old,and focus on a-nalysis of DAWBA youth-assessment version of more than 11-year-old twins. Buccal mucosa samples were collected from all twins for DNA extraction and zygosity identification test. Results The mood, the behavior symptom and the symptom produced the influence of the DAWBA and in the computer diagnosis' s result showed that the intra-pair correlation coefficience of the emotional disorder(rMZ=0, 200, P = 0. 28; r DZ = 0. 198, P = 0. 447) (MZ means was monozygotic,DZ means was dizygotie, r means was correlation), the special phobia symptom(r MZ = 0.440, P = 0.013;rDZ =0.419, P=0.094),the social phobia (rMZ =0.2%, P = 0. 106; r DZ = -0.119, P = 0.648),the depressive symptom (rMZ =0.556, P=0.001; rDZ = -0.254, P=0.325), and the oppositional/con-duct disorder(rMZ =0.503, P = 0.014; rDZ = -0.270, P = 0.295),eating disorder(r MZ =0.764, P=0.046; rDZ = -0.091, P=0.728) in Monozygotic twins was more remarkable than that in dizygotie twin. Conclusion The genetic factors play the vital role in affects in the child twins' mental health growth.

Analysis of driving adaptability based on psycho-social factors / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To discuss the impact of relevant psycho-social factors on the driving adaptability. Methods A total of 870 vehicle drivers were screened out by stratified cluster sampling,and 620 drivers were finally selected for this study after eliminating those who had 1 -2 accidents. The 620 drivers were divided into accident group and non-accident group. Demographic questionnaire, life event scale, SCL-90 Scale and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire were applied to investigate their general condition, life event, mental health and personality. All data were analyzed by t test and stepwise Fisher discriminatory, and then the discriminatory equations of driving eligibility were established. Results The scores of factors including positive life events, negative life events, family events, work events and social events in accident group were 9.62 ± 11.36, 34.53 ± 30.01, 24.05 ± 23.09, 16.78 ± 17. 12 and 2.82 ± 5.07, respectively, which were higher than 4.67 ± 6.25, 6.38 ± 10. 15, 6.48 ± 9.43, 3.96 ±6.55 and 2.02 ± 5.43 respectively in the non-accident group ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). The total SCL-90 score and the scores of all factors in the accident group were higher than those in the non-accident group ( P ＜0. 01 ). The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire scores of the accident group were significantly higher than the non-accident group in N dimension ( 56. 32 ± 8.77 vs. 45.23 ± 8.06 ) and P dimension (52.22 ±10.43 vs. 48.31 ± 9.35 ) ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). Fisher discriminatory equations: Faccident group = 0. 258 × X6 + 0.119 ×X9 +0.637 ×X17 +0.043 × X5-7.476; Fnon-accident group =0. 137 × X6-1. 000 ×X9 + 1.423 ×X17 +0.003× X5-2.601. Total discrimination accuracy of verification was 88.3%, and the total accuracy of prospective discrimination was 88.0%. Conclusions There is clear correlation of driving adaptability with coercion, anxiety, emotion and negative factors. The discriminatory equations are useful for selecting drivers because of high accuracy, and may play an important role in reducing the occurrence of traffic accidents.

Examining the comorbidity of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder in a population-based twin sample / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine three possible causes of the relationship between attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder: additive genetic factors(A), common environmental factors(C) and individual-specific environmental factors(E).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and forty pairs of twins from the Southwestern China Twin Registry were examined with the parent-rated Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The cross-twin within-variable, within-twin cross-variable and cross-twin cross-variable correlations were calculated. Using structural equation modelling, bivariate models were fitted. The best fitting model was chosen based on likelihood and parsimony.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The observed phenotypic correlation between HYPER and COND was 0.44 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.27), with genetic factors accounting for about 70% of the observed correlation. Bivariate model fitting quantified the genetic correlation between HYPER and COND at 0.76 (95% CI: 0.31, 1) and the individual-specific environmental correlation at 0.28 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.51).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In children, three different genetic factors may exist: one that solely affects the liability to hyperactivity behaviour, one that has only an effect on conduct behaviour and one that influences both hyperactivity and conduct behaviour. Our results suggests that most of the environmental factors that increase the risk of hyperactivity behaviour do not influence conduct behaviour and vice versa.</p>

A Prospective Twin Registry in Southwestern China: exploring the effects of genetic and environmental factors on cognitive and behavioral development and mental health well-being in children and adolescents / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The goals, prospects and methods of the Prospective Twin Registry in Southwestern China (TRiSC) are described. The aim of this study is to measure children's behavioral development and psychopathology from phenotypic, genetic and environmental perspectives.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The children's self-report, as well as parental and teachers' informant report were used to measure the children's behavior and psychopathology, and the latter was related to the children's general cognitive abilities, and to the parenting style. Other variables of interest such as children's temperament and parental health status were also used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine thousand and three hundred thirty nine pairs of 0-16 years old twins have been registered, 324 pairs of them were monozygotic based on DNA samples as well as the detailed information on behavioral and cognitive aspects.Analysis has been performed for the influences of genetic and environmental factors on children's behavior and cognition.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>School-based twins recruitment is a helpful method in child and adolescent twin study. TRiSC has been a valuable resource for research on the development of children's behavior and cognition.</p>