Abstract
We examined the aetiology of anxiety symptoms in an unselected population at ages 7 and 9, a period during which anxiety disorders
first begin to develop (mean age at onset is 11 years). Specifically, the aim of the study was to investigate genetic and
environmental continuity and change in components of anxiety in middle childhood. Parents of over 3,500 twin pairs completed
the Anxiety-Related Behaviours Questionnaire (ARBQ) when twins were 7 and 9 years old. Multivariate-longitudinal analyses
were conducted to examine genetic and environmental influences on stability and change in four anxiety scales: Negative Cognition,
Negative Affect, Fear and Social Anxiety. We found moderate temporal stability in all four scales from 7 to 9 years (correlations
ranging from 0.45 to 0.54) and moderate heritability (average 54%). Both shared and non-shared environmental influences were
modest (average 18%–28% respectively). Genetic factors (68%) explained most of the homotypic continuity in anxiety. We show
that homotypic continuity of Anxiety-Related Behaviours (i.e. the continuation of one specific type of anxiety over time)
was largely driven by genetic factors. In contrast, though more varied, heterotypic continuity between some traits (i.e. the
change from one type of anxiety-related behaviour into another over time) was mainly due to shared-environmental factors.
first begin to develop (mean age at onset is 11 years). Specifically, the aim of the study was to investigate genetic and
environmental continuity and change in components of anxiety in middle childhood. Parents of over 3,500 twin pairs completed
the Anxiety-Related Behaviours Questionnaire (ARBQ) when twins were 7 and 9 years old. Multivariate-longitudinal analyses
were conducted to examine genetic and environmental influences on stability and change in four anxiety scales: Negative Cognition,
Negative Affect, Fear and Social Anxiety. We found moderate temporal stability in all four scales from 7 to 9 years (correlations
ranging from 0.45 to 0.54) and moderate heritability (average 54%). Both shared and non-shared environmental influences were
modest (average 18%–28% respectively). Genetic factors (68%) explained most of the homotypic continuity in anxiety. We show
that homotypic continuity of Anxiety-Related Behaviours (i.e. the continuation of one specific type of anxiety over time)
was largely driven by genetic factors. In contrast, though more varied, heterotypic continuity between some traits (i.e. the
change from one type of anxiety-related behaviour into another over time) was mainly due to shared-environmental factors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-011-9545-z
- Authors
- Maciej Trzaskowski, King’s College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Box PO80, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
- Helena M. S. Zavos, King’s College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Box PO80, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
- Claire M. A. Haworth, King’s College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Box PO80, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
- Robert Plomin, King’s College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Box PO80, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
- Thalia C. Eley, King’s College London, MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Box PO80, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627