Work

Psychopathology, personality traits and social development of young first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia

Year: 2006

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Evaluation of individuals at high genetic risk of schizophrenia is a powerful method for identifying precursors of the illness. AIMS: To identify aspects of personality, psychopathology and social development that differentiate high-risk and control individuals. METHOD: Adolescent and young-adult first-degree relatives (n=35) of people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and a control group (n=55) were compared on 36 measures at baseline of a longitudinal study. Measures differentiating high-risk and control participants were related to four genetic loading indices. RESULTS: High-risk participants older than 17 years showed more physical anhedonia, less positive involvement with peers and more problems with peers, siblings and the opposite gender. Older high-risk individuals also were less cooperative, less self-directed and less reward-dependent. Problems with peers and the opposite gender, as well as reward dependence, were related linearly to genetic loading. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in personality traits and social development are present in high-risk individuals, and may be markers for genetic liability toward the illness.

Source: The British Journal of Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.105.016998

Authors: Stephen J. Glatt, William S. Stone, Stephen V. Faraone, Larry J. Seidman, Ming T. Tsuang

Institutions: University of California San Diego, Veterans Medical Research Foundation of San Diego, Harvard University, SUNY Upstate Medical University, VA San Diego Healthcare System

Language: English

Topic: Schizophrenia research and treatment

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health