The structure of the genetic and environmental influences on mental well-being.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to investigate the structure of the genetic and environmental influences on 3 measures of mental well-being.


METHODS
Analyses focused on the subsample of 349 monozygotic and 321 dizygotic same-sex twin pairs from a nationally representative sample of twins who completed self-report measures of emotional, psychological, and social well-being.


RESULTS
The best-fit model contained a common pathway to all 3 measures of well-being, no shared environmental effects, and 1 set of parameters for men and women. Heritability for the latent "mental well-being" factor was high (72%) and best indexed by psychological well-being. Moderate trait-specific genetic effects were seen for emotional and social well-being. Nonshared environmental effects for all measures were mostly trait specific.


CONCLUSIONS
Genetic influences on the measures of mental well-being reflect a single, highly heritable genetic factor, although some trait-specific genetic influences were seen for emotional and social well-being. Moderate proportions of environmental influences were also shared, but the majority of unique environment was trait-specific.
Keyes
Corey L M
CL
Department of Sociology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. ckeyes@emory.edu
Myers
John M
JM
Kendler
Kenneth S
KS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012647:Self-Assessment; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D014481:United States