title: Cross-Study Differences in the Etiology of Reading Comprehension: a Meta-Analytical Review of Twin Studies.
abstract: Numerous twin studies have examined the genetic and environmental etiology of reading comprehension, though it is likely that etiological estimates are influenced by unidentified sample conditions (e.g. Tucker-Drob and Bates, Psychol Sci:0956797615612727, 2015). The purpose of this meta-analysis was to average the etiological influences of reading comprehension and to explore the potential moderators influencing these estimates. Results revealed an average heritability estimate of h2= 0.59, with significant variation in estimates across studies, suggesting potential moderation. Moderation results indicated publication year, grade level, project, zygosity methods, and response type moderated heritability estimates. The average shared environmental estimate was c2= 0.16, with publication year, grade and zygosity methods acting as significant moderators. These findings support the role of genetics on reading comprehension, and a small significant role of shared environmental influences. The results suggest that our interpretation of how genes and environments influence reading comprehension should reflect aspects of study and sample.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA. calliew01@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Callie W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Little
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Rasheda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haughbrook
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, 1107 W. Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.|Florida Center for Reading Research, Florida State University, 2010 Levy Avenue, Tallahassee, FL, 32310, USA.
authors.forename: Sara A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D032882:Comprehension; D006801:Humans; D040582:Inheritance Patterns / Q000235:genetics; D011642:Publications; D011932:Reading; D012931:Social Environment
keywords: Etiology of reading; Genetics of reading; Heritability; Meta analysis; Reading comprehension