The genetic etiology of inhibitory control and behavior problems at 24 months of age. uri icon

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: To investigate links between inhibitory control (IC) and behavior problems in early childhood, as well as genetic and environmental covariances between these two constructs. METHODS: Parent and laboratory ratings of IC and parent ratings of externalizing and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder behaviors were administered at 24 months of age on a sample of 291 same-sex twin pairs (131 monozygotic, 160 dizygotic). RESULTS: There were significant phenotypic associations between both IC assessments and the two areas of behavioral maladjustment (correlations ranged from -.13 to -.57). Multivariate analyses revealed that phenotypic covariance between IC and behavior problems could be substantially explained by common genetic influences (genetic correlations ranged from -.30 to -.74). Parent ratings of IC showed higher phenotypic and genetic correlations with behavior problems than lab ratings of IC. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to examine the etiology of the covariance between IC and related behavioral difficulties in toddlerhood. Findings suggest that low levels of IC can be considered a genetic risk factor for the development of early emerging behavior problems.

published proceedings

  • J Child Psychol Psychiatry

author list (cited authors)

  • Gagne, J. R., Saudino, K. J., & Asherson, P.

citation count

  • 50

complete list of authors

  • Gagne, Jeffrey R||Saudino, Kimberly J||Asherson, Philip

publication date

  • November 2011

publisher