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Integrating social science and behavioral genetics: testing the origin of socioeconomic disparities in depression using a genetically informed design.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:We tested 3 hypotheses-social causation, social drift, and common cause-regarding the origin of socioeconomic disparities in major depression and determined whether the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and major depression varied by genetic liability for major depression. METHODS:Data were from a sample of female twins in the baseline Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders interviewed between 1987 and 1989 (n = 2153). We used logistic regression and structural equation twin models to evaluate these 3 hypotheses. RESULTS:Consistent with the social causation hypothesis, education (odds ratio [OR] = 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66, 0.93; P < .01) and income (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.89, 0.98; P < .01) were significantly related to past-year major depression. Upward social mobility was associated with lower risk of depression. There was no evidence that childhood SES was related to development of major depression (OR = 0.98; 95% CI = 0.89, 1.09; P > .1). Consistent with a common genetic cause, there was a negative correlation between the genetic components of major depression and education (r(2) = -0.22). Co-twin control analyses indicated a protective effect of education and income on major depression even after accounting for genetic liability. CONCLUSIONS:This study utilized a genetically informed design to address how social position relates to major depression. Results generally supported the social causation model.

SUBMITTER: Mezuk B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3786755 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Integrating social science and behavioral genetics: testing the origin of socioeconomic disparities in depression using a genetically informed design.

Mezuk Briana B Myers John M JM Kendler Kenneth S KS

American journal of public health 20130808

<h4>Objectives</h4>We tested 3 hypotheses-social causation, social drift, and common cause-regarding the origin of socioeconomic disparities in major depression and determined whether the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and major depression varied by genetic liability for major depression.<h4>Methods</h4>Data were from a sample of female twins in the baseline Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders interviewed between 1987 and 1989 (n = 2153). We used ...[more]

PMID: 23927513

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Dataset Information

Integrating social science and behavioral genetics: testing the origin of socioeconomic disparities in depression using a genetically informed design.

Publications

Integrating social science and behavioral genetics: testing the origin of socioeconomic disparities in depression using a genetically informed design.

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