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.
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.
Authors: Ellen E Fitzsimmons-Craft; Anna M Bardone-Cone; Ross D Crosby; Scott G Engel; Stephen A Wonderlich; Cynthia M Bulik Journal: Body Image Date: 2016-07-05
Authors: Sarah E Racine; Jessica L VanHuysse; Pamela K Keel; S Alexandra Burt; Michael C Neale; Steven Boker; Kelly L Klump Journal: J Abnorm Psychol Date: 2017-07
Authors: Claire M Peterson; Jessica H Baker; Laura M Thornton; Sara E Trace; Suzanne E Mazzeo; Michael C Neale; Melissa A Munn-Chernoff; Paul Lichtenstein; Nancy L Pedersen; Cynthia M Bulik Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2015-12-29 Impact factor: 4.861
Authors: Jessica L Suisman; J Kevin Thompson; Pamela K Keel; S Alexandra Burt; Michael Neale; Steven Boker; Cheryl Sisk; Kelly L Klump Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2014-06-25 Impact factor: 4.861