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Genetic and environmental influences on obsessional traits and symptoms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

C. A. Clifford ,
R. M. Murray  and
D. W. Fulker
C. A. Clifford
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London
R. M. Murray*
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London
D. W. Fulker
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr R. M. Murray, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SES 8AF.
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Synopsis

A biometrical genetic analysis was carried out on the response of 419 pairs of twins to the 42-item version of the Leyton Obsessional Inventory. Just under half the variation in both the Obsessional Trait and Symptom Scales was due to heredity. Multivariate analysis revealed a genetic effect on the development of obsessional personality and also the transmission of a general tendency predisposing to neurotic breakdown. Although the influence of heredity was outweighed by that of the environment, the latter effect showed an absence of general factors and, in particular, of any noticeable effect from the common home environment.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , November 1984 , pp. 791 - 800
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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