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A Genetically Informed Study of the Covariation Between the CBCL/6-18 DSM-Oriented Problem Scales and the Competence Scales

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Abstract

In 398 twin pairs belonging to the population-based Italian Registry, we investigated by the monozygotic twin intrapair differences model and bivariate designs whether the phenotypic correlations between CBCL/6–18 problem behaviours and competencies could better be accounted for by direct, causal effects, or by the presence of latent etiological factors, acting simultaneously as elements of risk/protection for psychopathology and competencies. All zero-order correlations between six CBCL DSM-oriented scales (DOS) and three competence scales (CS) were negative and small-to-moderate. After implementing multiple regressions we found robust enough prediction only for ADH DOS on school CS, and for anxiety DOS on social CS. Results from the intrapair differences model indicated shared elements of liability, rather than direct causation, as more likely explanations for the negative phenotypic correlations between these emotional/behavioural problem and competencies scores. Bivariate analyses indicated shared genetic factors that influence simultaneously the emotional/behavioural problems and the competencies domains as the best explanations for the phenotypic covariations between DOS and CS.

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Acknowledgments

Supported in part by the Italian Ministry of Health (Project no. OAB/F/2000 Grant BO16.1 awarded to Marco Battaglia; Project: “Finalizzata 2007: Mental Health in Childhood and Adolescence” grant awarded to Marco Battaglia) and the Italian Ministry of University and Research (Project PRIN 06/006061953 awarded to Marco Battaglia). The first author of this paper is in the San Raffaele University Developmental Psychopathology PhD program, supported in part by the CARIPLO foundation ‘Human Talents’ grant for Academic Centres of Excellence in Post-Graduate Teaching (Marco Battaglia—recipient). We thank all children and parents who took part in this study. The permission of Thomas Achenbach to employ the CBCL 6–18 for research purposes is also gratefully acknowledged. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Karin Verweij and Sarah Medland for statistical assistance.

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Correspondence to Marco Battaglia.

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Edited by Danielle Posthuma.

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Pesenti-Gritti, P., Scaini, S., D’ippolito, C. et al. A Genetically Informed Study of the Covariation Between the CBCL/6-18 DSM-Oriented Problem Scales and the Competence Scales. Behav Genet 41, 522–532 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-010-9420-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-010-9420-7

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