The genetic liability to 'typical' DSM-III-R schizophrenia is decisively confirmed. Additionally, the liability also extends to a broad spectrum of other psychotic and non-psychotic disorders.
What the genetic and family dynamic theory have in common, is that the cause of schizophrenia could be found in the family. Usually the genetic factors and the rearing factors are confounded in the same family. In a study of adoptive children given away for adoption early enough, discrimination between these two sets of factors is possible.A nation-wide sample of offspring of schizophrenic mothers, given away for adoption, has been compared blindly with matched controls, i.e., adopted-away offspring of non-schizophrenic biologic parents. The families have been investigated thoroughly with joint and individual interviews and psychological tests. In the 91 pairs where both the index and control families have been investigated and rated so far, the total number of severe diagnoses (psychosis, borderline, character disorder) is 28.6% (26/91) in the index group and 16.5% (15/91) in the matched control group. Of the 7 psychotic cases, 6 are offspring of schizophrenics and only one a control offspring. The relation of psychopathology of adoptive families to the mental health ratings of the offspring supports the hypothesis that a possible genetic vulnerability has interacted with the adoptive rearing environment. (21) Alanen YO. In search of the interactional origin of schizophrenia. In: CK Hofling, JM Lewis, eds. The family; evaluation and treatment. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1980:285-314. (22) Tienari P, Sorri A, Lahti I, Naarala M, Wahlberg K-E, Ronkko T, Pohjola J, Moring J, Koistinen P. The Finnish adoptive family study of schizophrenia.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.