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Genetic and environmental influences on thin‐ideal internalization
Author(s) -
Suisman Jessica L.,
O'Connor Shan M.,
Sperry Steffanie,
Thompson J. Kevin,
Keel Pamela K.,
Burt S. Alexandra,
Neale Michael,
Boker Steven,
Sisk Cheryl,
Klump Kelly L.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.22056
Subject(s) - internalization , psychology , psychosocial , developmental psychology , twin study , ideal (ethics) , social psychology , genetics , biology , heritability , psychiatry , philosophy , epistemology , cell
Objective: Current research on the etiology of thin‐ideal internalization focuses on psychosocial influences (e.g., media exposure). The possibility that genetic influences also account for variance in thin‐ideal internalization has never been directly examined. This study used a twin design to estimate genetic effects on thin‐ideal internalization and examine if environmental influences are primarily shared or nonshared in origin. Method: Participants were 343 postpubertal female twins (ages: 12–22 years; M = 17.61) from the Michigan State University Twin Registry. Thin‐ideal internalization was assessed using the Sociocultural Attitudes toward Appearance Questionnaire‐3. Results: Twin modeling suggested significant additive genetic and nonshared environmental influences on thin‐ideal internalization. Shared environmental influences were small and non‐significant. Discussion: Although prior research focused on psychosocial factors, genetic influences on thin‐ideal internalization were significant and moderate in magnitude. Research is needed to investigate possible interplay between genetic and nonshared environmental factors in the development of thin‐ideal internalization. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012)