The p factor: genetic analyses support a general dimension of psychopathology in childhood and adolescence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Diverse behaviour problems in childhood correlate phenotypically, suggesting a general dimension of psychopathology that has been called the p factor. The shared genetic architecture between childhood psychopathology traits also supports a genetic p. This study systematically investigates the manifestation of this common dimension across self-, parent- and teacher-rated measures in childhood and adolescence.

Methods

The sample included 7,026 twin pairs from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS). First, we employed multivariate twin models to estimate common genetic and environmental influences on p based on diverse measures of behaviour problems rated by children, parents and teachers at ages 7, 9, 12 and 16 (depressive traits, emotional problems, peer problems

SUBMITTER: Allegrini AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6906245 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature