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The Finnish Adoptive Family Study of Schizophrenia

Implications for Family Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2018

Pekka Tienari ,
Lyman C. Wynne ,
Juha Moring ,
Ilpo Lahti ,
Mikko Naarala ,
Anneli Sorri ,
Karl-Erik Wahlberg ,
Outi Saarento ,
Markku Seitamaa  and
Merja Kaleva
...Show all authors
Pekka Tienari*
Affiliation:
University of Oulu
Lyman C. Wynne
Affiliation:
University of Rochester
Juha Moring
Affiliation:
University of Oulu
Ilpo Lahti
Affiliation:
University of Oulu
Mikko Naarala
Affiliation:
University of Oulu
Anneli Sorri
Affiliation:
University of Oulu
Karl-Erik Wahlberg
Affiliation:
University of Oulu
Outi Saarento
Affiliation:
University of Oulu
Markku Seitamaa
Affiliation:
University of Oulu
Merja Kaleva
Affiliation:
University of Oulu
Kristian Läksy
Affiliation:
University of Oulu
*
∗Department of Psychiatry, Kajaanintie 43, SF-90210 Oulu, Finland
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Abstract

A nationwide Finnish sample of schizophrenics' offspring given up for adoption was compared blindly with matched controls, who were adopted offspring of non-schizophrenic biological parents. The adoptive families were investigated thoroughly using joint and individual interviews and psychological tests. The biological parents were also interviewed and tested. Among the 155 index offspring, the percentage of both psychoses and other severe diagnoses (borderline syndrome and severe personality disorders) was significantly higher than in the 186 matched control adoptees. This supports a genetic hypothesis. However, notable differences between these two groups only emerged in the families which were rated as disturbed. Thus the genetic effect (i.e. the differences between high and low genetic propensity) was only manifested as a psychiatric disorder in the presence of a disturbed family environment. The impact of disturbed family relations was strongest in the presence of the appropriate genotype.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 164 , Issue S23: Integrated Approach to Schizophrenia , April 1994 , pp. 20 - 26
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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