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Integrating social science and behavioral genetics: Testing the origin of socioeconomic disparities in depression using a genetically informed design

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  • Mezuk, B.
  • Myers, J.M.
  • Kendler, K.S.

Abstract

Objectives. We tested 3 hypotheses - social causation, social drift, and common cause - regarding the origin of socioeconomic disparities in major depression and determined whether the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and major depression varied by genetic liability for major depression. Methods. Data were from a sample of female twins in the baseline Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders interviewed between 1987 and 1989 (n = 2153). We used logistic regression and structural equation twin models to evaluate these 3 hypotheses. Results. Consistent with the social causation hypothesis, education (odds ratio [OR] = 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66, 0.93; P .1). Consistent with a common genetic cause, there was a negative correlation between the genetic components of major depression and education (r2 = -0.22). Co-twin control analyses indicated a protective effect of education and income on major depression even after accounting for genetic liability. Conclusions. This study utilized a genetically informed design to address how social position relates to major depression. Results generally supported the social causation model.

Suggested Citation

  • Mezuk, B. & Myers, J.M. & Kendler, K.S., 2013. "Integrating social science and behavioral genetics: Testing the origin of socioeconomic disparities in depression using a genetically informed design," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(SUPPL.1), pages 145-151.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301247_8
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301247
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    Cited by:

    1. McFarland, Michael J. & Wagner, Brandon G., 2015. "Does a college education reduce depressive symptoms in American young adults?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 75-84.
    2. Barr, Peter B. & Salvatore, Jessica E. & Maes, Hermine & Aliev, Fazil & Latvala, Antti & Viken, Richard & Rose, Richard J. & Kaprio, Jaakko & Dick, Danielle M., 2016. "Education and alcohol use: A study of gene-environment interaction in young adulthood," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 158-167.

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