ABSTRACT
Objective
This study focuses on the extent to which genetic risk for mental disorders contributes to observed mental health problems before and after partnership transitions.
Background
Partnership formation and dissolution are linked to short-term changes in mental health, with outcomes varying by gender, socioeconomic position, and other social factors. Yet little is known about whether genetic predispositions shape these responses, despite evidence that depression is partly heritable and theories predicting stronger effects for genetically vulnerable individuals.
Method
Using Finnish population-based survey and register data for 15,263 genotyped individuals, this study examines whether antidepressant (AD) purchasing trajectories before and after union formation (N = 7888) and dissolution (N = 7375) differ by genetic propensity for depression. Individual fixed-effects models estimate changes in AD use over 11 years and test moderation by a polygenic index (PGI) for depression.
Results
Individuals with higher polygenic propensity for depression exhibited sharper increases in antidepressant purchasing in years preceding union dissolution, marking the potentially most conflictual relationship period. This is consistent with greater vulnerability in the period preceding union dissolution. Contrarily, only women showed a short-term increase in antidepressant use following union formation.
Conclusion
Findings highlight the importance of the anticipatory period before separation as a window of heightened vulnerability shaped by genetic predispositions, while showing little evidence that genetic predisposition moderates responses to both partnership transitions.