Genetic mediation of the relationship between social support and psychological well-being

Psychol Aging. 1991 Dec;6(4):640-6. doi: 10.1037//0882-7974.6.4.640.

Abstract

This study assessed genetic and environmental influences on the association between social support and psychological functioning using the combined adoption/twin design from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging. A subsample of 424 twin pairs, 50 years and older, was used: 64 pairs of identical twins reared apart, 95 pairs of identical twins reared together, 132 pairs of fraternal twins reared apart, and 133 pairs of fraternal twins reared together. Multivariate model-fitting analyses indicated that the relationship between the perceived adequacy of social support and psychological well-being (depression and life satisfaction) was mediated in part by genetic factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adoption / psychology
  • Aged
  • Aging / genetics*
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Genetic
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Personality Tests
  • Social Environment*
  • Social Support*
  • Twins, Dizygotic / genetics*
  • Twins, Dizygotic / psychology*
  • Twins, Monozygotic / genetics*
  • Twins, Monozygotic / psychology*