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Genetic and Environmental Influences on Schizotypy among Adolescents in Taiwan: A Multivariate Twin/sibling Analysis

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Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relative contribution of genes and environment to psychometrically measured schizotypy and the causes for the covariation between different dimensions of schizotypy in a total of 330 pairs of twins and 36 same-sex sib-pairs aged 12–16 and systematically recruited from junior high schools in Taipei. Twins’ zygosity was determined by a combination of DNA typing and physical similarity. Schizotypy was measured using the Perceptual Aberration Scale (PAS) as well as the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and its three factors (Cognitive-perceptual Dysfunction, Disorganization, and Interpersonal Dysfunction). Univariate analyses of structural equation modeling using Mx program showed that scores on these schizotypal measures were substantially heritable (h 2 ranging from 41 to 49%), with some genetic effects being non-additive. Multivariate analyses revealed common genetic factors linking between various traits of schizotypy, with bivariate heritability ranging from 50 to 65%. The proportion of the genetic contributions not shared with the other measures of schizotypy ranged from 24% for the Disorganization to 49% for the PAS scores. We concluded that there exist both common and specific genetic factors between the various dimensions of schizotypy, and at least half of their correlations were genetic in nature.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by grants from the National Science Council, Taiwan (NSC86-2314-B002-328, NSC87-2314-B002-290, NSC88-2314-B002-247, and NSC89-2320-B002-106) and MJ Preventive Medicine Research Foundation. The authors thank the Twin Association in Taipei City and principals and teachers of the participating schools for administrative supports. We would also like to acknowledge the hard work of Chang-Ning Chiang and Hao-Jan Yang in collecting data and Huai-Wen Chang in laboratory work for DNA typing.

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Correspondence to Wei J. Chen.

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Edited by Peter McGuffin

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Lin, C.C.H., Su, CH., Kuo, PH. et al. Genetic and Environmental Influences on Schizotypy among Adolescents in Taiwan: A Multivariate Twin/sibling Analysis. Behav Genet 37, 334–344 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-006-9104-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-006-9104-5

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