Work

Sex Differences in Longitudinal Changes in Genetic and Environmental Influences on Subjective Health

Year: 2017

Type: conference-abstract

Abstract: Previous investigations of genetic and environmental contributions to measures of subjective health (SH) have reported generally moderate heritability (25–30%), though estimates can vary widely across studies and measures. In the few twin studies to investigate gender differences in heritability of SH, results are equivocal. A recent analysis of age moderation of heritability of SH in a cross-sectional sample of 12,900 twins identified significant gender by age effects. The few longitudinal twin analyses of SH suggest moderate increases in heritability with age, but gender differences were not examined. The current analysis examines sex differences in longitudinal changes in genetic and environmental influences on measures of SH in a sample of 7372 twins (aged 26–102) with up to 8 waves of measurement (mean = 3.1). Latent growth curve modeling indicated significant sex differences in trajectories of change with age and in genetic and environmental contributions to change. Results also differed across measures.

Source: Innovation in Aging

DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.3549

Author: D.G. Finkel

Institution: Indiana University Southeast

Language: English

Topic: Genetic Associations and Epidemiology

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,977