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Coping: a genetic epidemiological investigation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Kenneth S. Kendler ,
Ronald C. Kessler ,
Andrew C. Heath ,
Michael C. Neale  and
Lindon J. Eaves
Kenneth S. Kendler*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; The Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
Ronald C. Kessler
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; The Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
Andrew C. Heath
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; The Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
Michael C. Neale
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; The Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
Lindon J. Eaves
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; The Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Kenneth S. Kendler, Department of Psychiatry, MCV Box 710, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
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Synopsis

This study examines data on self-report coping behaviour, life events and symptoms of anxiety and depression in a general population sample of 827 female twin pairs. Factor analysis identified three almost uncorrelated coping factors: turning to others; problem solving; and denial. Turning to others and problem solving were negatively and denial was positively related to levels of anxiety and depression. Turning to others and problem solving buffered the depressogenic and anxiogenic effects of stressful life events, while denial exacerbated the anxiogenic effects of life events. Structural equation model-fitting indicated that twin resemblance in turning to others and problem solving could be explained entirely by genetic factors with an estimated heritability of 30 and 31%, respectively. For denial, twin resemblance could be best explained by familial–environmental factors accounting for 19% of the total variation. Genes may affect the vulnerability to psychiatric disorders in part by influencing coping behaviour.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 21 , Issue 2 , May 1991 , pp. 337 - 346
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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