Common and specific genetic influences on aggressive and nonaggressive conduct disorder domains.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the genetic and environmental influences on DSM-IV conduct disorder (CD) aggressive and nonaggressive subscales, taking into account age and sex differences.


METHODS
A community sample of 1,100 twin pairs (ages 11-18) was interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children. Bivariate analyses, using variable threshold models accounting for age and sex differences, were used to determine the extent to which the genetic and environmental influences on aggressive and nonaggressive CD domains are shared or unique.


RESULTS
The phenotypic correlation between aggressive and nonaggressive CD domains was 0.32. The most parsimonious bivariate model included additive genetic effects and nonshared environmental effects only (AE model).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of behavior genetic model fitting suggest that the DSM-IV CD domains are influenced by unique genetic and environmental factors, but also share some common genetic and environmental influences. A large percentage of the covariation (61%) is caused by genetic factors. These results are consistent with a previous report on the bivariate heritability of aggressive and nonaggressive antisocial behavior, but extend the findings to DSM-IV domains.
Gelhorn
Heather
H
Drs. Gelhorn, Stallings, Young, Corley, Rhee, and Hewitt are with the Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder; Dr. Hopfer is with the Psychiatry Department, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver. Electronic address: gelhorn@colorado.edu.
Stallings
Michael
M
Drs. Gelhorn, Stallings, Young, Corley, Rhee, and Hewitt are with the Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder; Dr. Hopfer is with the Psychiatry Department, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
Young
Susan
S
Drs. Gelhorn, Stallings, Young, Corley, Rhee, and Hewitt are with the Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder; Dr. Hopfer is with the Psychiatry Department, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
Corley
Robin
R
Drs. Gelhorn, Stallings, Young, Corley, Rhee, and Hewitt are with the Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder; Dr. Hopfer is with the Psychiatry Department, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
Rhee
Soo Hyun
SH
Drs. Gelhorn, Stallings, Young, Corley, Rhee, and Hewitt are with the Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder; Dr. Hopfer is with the Psychiatry Department, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
Christian
Hopfer
H
Drs. Gelhorn, Stallings, Young, Corley, Rhee, and Hewitt are with the Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder; Dr. Hopfer is with the Psychiatry Department, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
Hewitt
John
J
Drs. Gelhorn, Stallings, Young, Corley, Rhee, and Hewitt are with the Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder; Dr. Hopfer is with the Psychiatry Department, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.