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Testing structural equation models for twin data using LISREL

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Abstract

Simple genetic models can be fitted to twin data using software packages such as LISREL (Jöreskog and Sörbom, 1986a). After discussion of data preparation and routine checks on possible violation of assumptions of the twin method, we illustrate univariate, bivariate, and multivariate genetic models which can be tested in cross-sectional twin data using LISREL. These include models for cohort or cohabitation effects, genotype x sex interaction, and certain types of genotype x environment interaction and genotype-environment correlation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia, MCV Station, Box 33, 23298, Richmond, Virginia

    A. C. Heath, M. C. Neale, J. K. Hewitt & L. J. Eaves

  2. Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Campus Box 447, 80309, Boulder, Colorado

    D. W. Fulker

Authors
  1. A. C. Heath
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  2. M. C. Neale
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  3. J. K. Hewitt
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  4. L. J. Eaves
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  5. D. W. Fulker
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Additional information

This research was supported in part by NIH Grants GM30250, AG04954, HD19802, and HD18426 and by ADAMHA Grants AA06781 and MH40828. This paper is modified from a presentation at a workshop on twin data analysis held at the Catholic University of Leuven, supported by NATO Grant 86/0823 and grants from the Belgian National Research Eund, the State University of Gent, and the Catholic University of Leuven.

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Heath, A.C., Neale, M.C., Hewitt, J.K. et al. Testing structural equation models for twin data using LISREL. Behav Genet 19, 9–35 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01065881

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