Genetic and environmental multidimensionality of well- and ill-being in middle aged twin men

Behav Genet. 2012 Jul;42(4):579-91. doi: 10.1007/s10519-012-9538-x. Epub 2012 Apr 8.

Abstract

The goals of the study were to determine the extent to which the underlying structure of different types of well-being was multidimensional and whether well- and ill-being were influenced by similar or different genetic and environmental factors. Participants were 1226 male twins ages 51-60, from the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging. Measures included: psychological well-being, Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire Well-Being scale (MPQWB), life satisfaction, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. A two-orthogonal-factor common pathway model fit the data well. Psychological well-being and self-esteem loaded most strongly on Factor 1, which was highly heritable (h(2) = .79). Life satisfaction loaded most strongly on Factor 2, which was only moderately heritable (h(2) = .32). Only MPQWB had measure-specific genetic influences. Depressive symptoms loaded on both factors, and only depressive symptoms had measure-specific common environmental influences. All measures had specific unique environmental influences. Results indicate that well-being is genetically and environmentally multidimensional and that ill-being has partial overlap with both latent factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Depression / genetics*
  • Environment*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health*
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Genetic
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Personality / genetics
  • Personality Inventory
  • Self Concept*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Twins, Dizygotic / genetics
  • Twins, Dizygotic / psychology*
  • Twins, Monozygotic / genetics
  • Twins, Monozygotic / psychology*