Depressive Symptoms and Career-Related Goal Appraisals: Genetic and Environmental Correlations and Interactions. (16th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salmela-Aro, Katariina; Read, Sanna; Vuoksimaa, Eero; Korhonen, Tellervo; Dick, Danielle M.; Kaprio, Jaakko; Rose, Richard. J.
• Is Part Of: Twin research and human genetics. Volume 17:Number 4(2014)
• Page Start: 236
• Page End: 243
• Publication Date: 2014-06-16
• Subjects: depressive symptoms, -- career-related goal appraisals, -- genetic correlation, -- gene–environment interaction, -- twin, -- young adults; Twins -- Periodicals; Multiple birth -- Periodicals; 618.25
• DOI: 10.1017/thg.2014.33
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1832-4274

Abstract

Abstract : In order to further understand why depressive symptoms are associated with negative goal appraisals, the present study examined the genetic and environmental correlations and interactions between depressive symptoms and career-related goal appraisals. A total of 1, 240 Finnish twins aged 21–26 years completed a questionnaire containing items on the appraisal of their career goals along five dimensions: importance, progress, effort, strain, and self-efficacy. In the same questionnaire, the 10-item General Behavior Inventory assessed depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the genetic and environmental correlations and gene–environment interactions between the career-goal appraisals and depressive symptoms. Associations were identified, and were attributed to environmental factors. Of the career-related goal appraisals, the shared environmental component was of a higher magnitude for the dimension of strain among the depressed compared with non-depressed subjects. The results indicate that the interplay between depressive symptoms and negative career-related goal appraisals is significantly affected by environmental factors, and thus possibly susceptible to targeted interventions.