Association between stressful life events and psychotic experiences in adolescence: Evidence for gene–environment correlations. (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shakoor, Sania; Zavos, Helena M. S.; Haworth, Claire M. A.; McGuire, Phillip; Cardno, Alastair G.; Freeman, Daniel; Ronald, Angelica
• Is Part Of: British journal of psychiatry. Volume 208:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 532
• Page End: 538
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.159079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1250

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Stressful life events (SLEs) are associated with psychotic experiences. SLEs might act as an environmental risk factor, but may also share a genetic propensity with psychotic experiences. Aims: To estimate the extent to which genetic and environmental factors influence the relationship between SLEs and psychotic experiences. Method: Self- and parent reports from a community-based twin sample (4830 16-year-old pairs) were analysed using structural equation model fitting. Results: SLEs correlated with positive psychotic experiences ( r = 0.12–0.14, all P <0.001). Modest heritability was shown for psychotic experiences (25–57%) and dependent SLEs (32%). Genetic influences explained the majority of the modest covariation between dependent SLEs and paranoia and cognitive disorganisation (bivariate heritabilities 74–86%). The relationship between SLEs and hallucinations and grandiosity was explained by both genetic and common environmental effects. Conclusions: Further to dependent SLEs being an environmental risk factor, individuals may have an underlying genetic propensity increasing their risk of dependent SLEs and positive psychotic experiences.