BACKGROUND: We analysed genetic and environmental influences on self-esteem and its stability in adolescence. METHOD: Finnish twins born in 1983-1987 were assessed by questionnaire at ages 14 (n = 4132 twin individuals) and 17 years (n = 3841 twin individuals). Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg global self-esteem scale and analyzed using quantitative genetic methods for twin data in the Mx statistical package. RESULTS: The heritability of self-esteem was 0.62 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-0.68] in 14-year-old boys and 0.40 (95% CI 0.26-0.54) in 14-year-old girls, while the corresponding estimates at age 17 were 0.48 (95% CI 0.39-0.56) and 0.29 (95% CI 0.11-0.45). Rosenberg self-esteem scores at ages 14 and 17 were modestly correlated (r = 0.44 in boys, r = 0.46 in girls). In boys, the correlation was mainly (82%) due to genetic factors, with residual co-variation due to unique environment. In girls, genetic (31%) and common environmental (61%) factors largely explained the correlation. CONCLUSIONS: In adolescence, self-esteem seems to be differently regulated in boys versus girls. A key challenge for future research is to identify environmental influences contributing to self-esteem during adolescence and determine how these factors interact with genetic influences.
BACKGROUND: We analysed genetic and environmental influences on self-esteem and its stability in adolescence. METHOD: Finnish twins born in 1983-1987 were assessed by questionnaire at ages 14 (n = 4132 twin individuals) and 17 years (n = 3841 twin individuals). Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg global self-esteem scale and analyzed using quantitative genetic methods for twin data in the Mx statistical package. RESULTS: The heritability of self-esteem was 0.62 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56-0.68] in 14-year-old boys and 0.40 (95% CI 0.26-0.54) in 14-year-old girls, while the corresponding estimates at age 17 were 0.48 (95% CI 0.39-0.56) and 0.29 (95% CI 0.11-0.45). Rosenberg self-esteem scores at ages 14 and 17 were modestly correlated (r = 0.44 in boys, r = 0.46 in girls). In boys, the correlation was mainly (82%) due to genetic factors, with residual co-variation due to unique environment. In girls, genetic (31%) and common environmental (61%) factors largely explained the correlation. CONCLUSIONS: In adolescence, self-esteem seems to be differently regulated in boys versus girls. A key challenge for future research is to identify environmental influences contributing to self-esteem during adolescence and determine how these factors interact with genetic influences.
Authors: Frank M Biro; Ruth H Striegel-Moore; Debra L Franko; Justina Padgett; Judy A Bean Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2006-07-10 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: T S Kubarych; E C Prom-Wormley; C E Franz; M S Panizzon; A M Dale; B Fischl; L T Eyler; C Fennema-Notestine; M D Grant; R L Hauger; D H Hellhammer; A J Jak; T L Jernigan; S J Lupien; M J Lyons; S P Mendoza; M C Neale; L J Seidman; M T Tsuang; W S Kremen Journal: Genes Brain Behav Date: 2012-05-03 Impact factor: 3.449
Authors: Tom A McAdams; Fruhling V Rijsdijk; Jurgita Narusyte; Jody M Ganiban; David Reiss; Erica Spotts; Jenae M Neiderhiser; Paul Lichtenstein; Thalia C Eley Journal: J Child Psychol Psychiatry Date: 2016-07-18 Impact factor: 8.982