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A multivariate genetic analysis of specific phobia, separation anxiety and social phobia in early childhood

Author

  • Thalia Eley
  • Fruhling Rijsdijk
  • Sean Perrin
  • Thomas O'Connor
  • Derek Bolton

Summary, in English

Background: Comorbidity amongst anxiety disorders is

very common in children as in adults and leads to

considerable distress and impairment, yet is poorly understood. Multivariate genetic analyses can shed light on the origins of this comorbidity by revealing whether genetic or environmental risks for one disorder also influence another. We examined the genetic and environmental influences on

the comorbidity between three common childhood anxiety disorders: Specific Phobia, Separation Anxiety and Social Phobia. Methods Using a two-phase design 4,662 twin-pairs were screened in the first phase and 854 pairs were assessed in

the second phase by maternal-informant diagnostic interview using DSM-IV criteria. Results: Multivariate genetic analysis revealed significant

shared environmental over-lap between Specific Phobia and Separation Anxiety and significant familial and non-shared environmental over-lap between Specific Phobia and Social Phobia.

Conclusions: Familial influences, especially shared environment, are central to the comorbidity between Specific Phobia and both Separation Anxiety and Social Phobia.

Publishing year

2008

Language

English

Pages

839-848

Publication/Series

Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

Volume

36

Issue

6

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Psychology

Keywords

  • Twins
  • Genetics
  • Environment
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Children

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0091-0627