Self-esteem, negative emotionality, and depression as a common temperamental core: a study of mid-adolescent twin girls.
We tested the structure and magnitude of genetic and environmental influences on the overlap among self-esteem, negative emotionality, and major depression symptoms in adolescent girls (N=706) from the Minnesota Twin Family Study. Genetic and environmental influences on all three operated via a general, heritable factor. Genetic influences explained the majority of overlap among the three constructs, as well as most of the variance in self-esteem and negative emotionality. Genetic influences on depression were more modest and largely due to genetic factors specific to depression. These findings support the theory that self-esteem, depression, and neuroticism represent aspects of a common temperamental core. The interrelations among the three constructs in mid-adolescence is consistent with their interrelations in adulthood.
Neiss
Michelle B
MB
Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, CR131, 3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. neissm@ohsu.edu
Stevenson
Jim
J
Legrand
Lisa N
LN
Iacono
William G
WG
Sedikides
Constantine
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics*; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics*