Interaction of marital status and genetic risk for symptoms of depression.
Depression scores (DSSI) were available for 1232 MZ and 751 DZ female twin pairs who completed a mailed questionnaire. Pairs were divided into those concordant for being in a marriage-like state, concordant for having no partners, and those discordant. The pattern of twin correlations differed according to marital status. Our results suggest that having a marriage-like relationship acts as a protective factor in reducing the impact of inherited liability to symptoms of depression in the general population.
Heath
A C
AC
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, St Louis, USA.
Eaves
L J
LJ
Martin
N G
NG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics*; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors