Stability of Thought Disorder Index among high-risk and low-risk adoptees in the Finnish adoptive family study of schizophrenia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether thought disorders are stable, trait-like features specific to subjects who have a genetic liability to schizophrenia or a psychiatric disorder. The thought disorders of adoptees genetically at high risk (HR) or low risk (LR) for schizophrenia from the Finnish adoptive family study of schizophrenia were evaluated twice at a mean interval of 11 years, using the sum of the Thought Disorder Index (TDI) scores on the Rorschach (TD(R)). At the initial assessment, the mean TD(R) scores of women were significantly higher than those of men, while no association between genetic risk and psychiatric status or their interactions with the TD(R) scores at baseline were found. The main finding was that the initial TD(R) scores statistically significantly predicted the TD(R) scores at follow-up, thus indicating the stability of thought disorder over time. However, neither genetic or psychiatric status nor gender or any interaction between these variables associated with TD(R) at follow-up.

The stability of severe thought disorders and mature thinking

“…This supports in some degree that both severe formal thought disorders and mature thinking are enduring character-istics of personality. Our results are consistent with those of previous studies, which have indicated that severe formal thought disorders are stable [30,31]. Therefore, formal thought disorder may mean an elevated risk for a future mental disturbance.…”

Affective reactivity of speech disturbances in schizotypy

“…In a longitudinal adoption study examining individuals at high genetic risk compared to adoptees with low genetic risk, researchers found TDI scores remained stable over time. However, group status (high risk, low risk) was not associated with psychiatric diagnosis eleven years later (Metsanen et al, 2005).…”

Lyman C. Wynne and Transformation of the Field of Family‐and‐Schizophrenia

“…The set of publications that document the rigorous, methodic, flawless research protocols, its carefully drawn ethical parameters, and its copious and carefully analyzed conclusions during these past 35 years is impressive and eloquent : Isohanni Lathi. (2004; Mäki et al (2005); Metsänen, Wahlberg, Hakko, Saarento, and Tienari (2006); Metsänen et al (2005Metsänen et al ( , 2004; Siira, Wahlberg, Miettunen, Läksy, and Tienari (2004); Tienari et al (1987Tienari et al ( , 1994Tienari et al ( , 2004Tienari et al ( , 2005; Tienari, Wynne, Moring, and Lathi (2000); ; ; Wahlberg (2003, 2006); Wahlberg (2003); Wahlberg et al (2004Wahlberg et al ( , 2000Wahlberg et al ( , 1997; ; and, last but not least, the two articles mentioned at the beginning of this note: Wynne, Tienari, Nieminen, et al (2006), and .…”

“…But in another sense, it was much broader: The research protocol included a systematic analysis, both quantitative and qualitative, of the adoptive family's interpersonal/communicational style. The set of publications that document the rigorous, methodic, flawless research protocols, its carefully drawn ethical parameters, and its copious and carefully analyzed conclusions during these past 35 years is impressive and eloquent: Isohanni Lathi. (2004, 2000, 2005); Mäki et al (2005); Metsänen, Wahlberg, Hakko, Saarento, and Tienari (2006); Metsänen et al (2005, 2004); Siira, Wahlberg, Miettunen, Läksy, and Tienari (2004); Tienari et al (1987, 1994, 2004, 2005); Tienari, Wynne, Moring, and Lathi (2000); Tienari, Wynne, Sorri, et al (2000); Tienari, Wynne, et al (2003); Tienari, Wynne, and Wahlberg (2003, 2006); Wahlberg (2003); Wahlberg et al (2004, 2001, 2000, 1997); Wahlberg and Wynne (2001); and, last but not least, the two articles mentioned at the beginning of this note: Wynne, Tienari, Nieminen, et al (2006), and Wynne, Tienari, Sorri, et al (2006).…”