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Genetic and Environmental Influences on Temperament in the First Year of Life: The Puerto Rico Infant Twin Study (PRINTS)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

Judy L. Silberg ,
Vivian Febo San Miguel ,
E. Lenn Murrelle ,
Elizabeth Prom ,
John E. Bates ,
Glorisa Canino ,
Helen Egger  and
Lindon J. Eaves
Judy L. Silberg*
Affiliation:
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America. jsilberg@hsc.vcu.edu
Vivian Febo San Miguel
Affiliation:
Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
E. Lenn Murrelle
Affiliation:
Glaxo-Smith Cline, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
Elizabeth Prom
Affiliation:
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America.
John E. Bates
Affiliation:
Glaxo-Smith Cline, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
Glorisa Canino
Affiliation:
Behavioral Sciences Research Institute, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Helen Egger
Affiliation:
Developmental Epidemiology Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
Lindon J. Eaves
Affiliation:
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America.
*
*Address for correspondence: Judy L. Silberg, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Human Genetics School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980003, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0003, USA.

Abstract

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Three dimensions of temperament — difficult temperament, unadaptablility and unsociability — were assessed in the first year of life by maternal interview in twins born in Puerto Rico during 2001 and 2002. Eight hundred and sixty-five eligible mothers (80%) were traced and interviewed. Model- fitting results showed that additive genetic factors and the individual specific environment contributed to variation in all three dimensions. In addition, the pattern of variances and correlations suggested that sibling contrast effects influence ratings of difficult temperament. Moderate effects of the shared environment contributed to ratings of adaptability and sociability. There was a significant genetic correlation between difficult temperament and unadaptability. Genetic and environmental effects do not differ significantly between boys and girls. The study is the first population-based study of Puerto Rican twins and one of few to attempt the assessment of behavior in the first year. Preliminary results for difficult temperament and sociability were consistent with those in other populations and ages. In contrast, a significant effect of the shared environment on the temperamental trait of unadaptability has not been reported previously.

Type
Articles
Information
Twin Research and Human Genetics , Volume 8 , Issue 4 , 01 August 2005 , pp. 328 - 336
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005