Parental criticism and externalizing behavior problems in adolescents: The role of environment and genotype–environment correlation.

Abstract

Genetic factors are important for the association between parental negativity and child problem behavior, but it is not clear whether this is dueto passive or evocative genotype-environment correlation (rGE). In this study we applied the extended children-of-twins model to directly examine the presence of passive and evocative rGE as well as direct environmental effects in the association between parental criticism and adolescent externalizing problem behavior. The cross-sectional data come from the Twin and Offspring Study in Sweden (TOSS) (N=909 pairs of adult twins) and from the Twin study of CHild and Adolescent Development (TCHAD) (N=915 pairs of twin children). The results revealed that maternal criticism was primarily due to evocative rGE emanating from their adolescent’s externalizing behavior. On the other hand, fathers’ critical remarks tended to affect adolescent problem behavior in a direct environmental way. This suggests that previously reported differences in caretaking between mothers and fathers also are reflected in differences in why parenting is associated with externalizing behavior in offspring.

The Etiology of the Association Between Child Antisocial Behavior and Maternal Negativity Varies Across Aggressive and Non-Aggressive Rule-Breaking Forms of Antisocial Behavior

“…Because we examined biological families, we cannot rule-out the possibility that shared genes may account for what appears to be an environmental association. That said, existing empirical literature (Marceau et al, 2013; Narusyte et al, 2011b) has not identified passive rGE effects in the association between parenting and child antisocial behavior, implying that passive rGE is unlikely account for the association between parenting and offspring behavior problems in this study. Building on these results, several adoption studies have found evidence of a shared environmentally-driven association between parenting and antisocial behavior in general (Burt et al, 2007; Klahr et al, 2011a, 2011b), results that again argue against passive rGE (because passive rGE is entirely circumvented in non-biologically related family members).…”

“…Importantly, however, this study examined overall family functioning rather than parenting; it is thus unclear whether these findings apply to parenting more specifically. Indeed, available studies examining this question indicate that the effects of passive rGE on the association between parenting and child antisocial behavior are small to non-existent (Harold et al, 2013; Marceau et al, 2013; Narusyte et al, 2011b). For example, Marceau and colleagues (2013) modeled passive rGE effects (along with evocative rGE and environmental pathways) underlying the association between negative parenting and adolescent externalizing problems using the Extended Children of Twins model (Narusyte et al, 2008).…”

“…Consistent with this possibility, research suggests that the characteristics of children are powerful drivers of parenting behavior (Anderson, Lytton, & Romney, 1986; Cunningham & Barkley, 1979; Karraker & Coleman, 2005). Moreover, a number of studies have demonstrated that genetic influences on child behavior problems and parenting at least partially overlap (Alemany, Rijsdijk, Haworth, Fañanás, & Plomin, 2013; Button, Lau, Maughan, & Eley, 2008; Marceau et al, 2013; Narusyte et al, 2011b), results that are typically interpreted as evidence of evocative rGE. For example, Pike and colleagues examined the etiology of the association between maternal and paternal negativity and child antisocial behavior in a sample of over 700 adolescent sibling pairs (including twins, full siblings, half siblings, and unrelated siblings).…”

“…What might explain these differences across studies? Possibilities include specific methodological factors (e.g., twin vs. adoption study, informant-reports), developmental processes (e.g., differences across early childhood, middle childhood, and adolescence), and/or sex differences (e.g., mothers vs. fathers or male vs. female children; Leve, Kim, & Pears, 2005; Meier, Slutske, Heath, & Martin, 2009; Narusyte et al, 2011a). …”

Genetic Influences on Peer and Family Relationships Across Adolescent Development: Introduction to the Special Issue

“…The link between maternal criticism and adolescent problem behavior was explained by reactive rGE whereas paternal criticism was not. Paternal criticism did not occur in response to adolescent problem behavior, but rather directly affected it through environmental pathways (Narusyte et al 2011). However, more recent work has suggested that reactive rGE, although pervasive in adolescence and young adulthood, may dissipate in adulthood.…”