Adolescent social functioning and later psychiatric morbidity in genetic high- and low-risk adoptees. The Finnish Adoptive Family Study of Schizophrenia
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Auditorium 1, Building PT1 of the Department of Psychiatry, Peltolantie 17, Oulu
Topic of the dissertation
Adolescent social functioning and later psychiatric morbidity in genetic high- and low-risk adoptees. The Finnish Adoptive Family Study of Schizophrenia
Doctoral candidate
MA. Ed (Educational psychology) Ville Tikkanen
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine
Subject of study
Medicine
Opponent
Professor Raimo K.R. Salokangas, University of Turku
Custos
Professor Sami Räsänen, University of Oulu, Oulu University Hospital
Poor adolescent peer relationships as plausible risk factors for later psychiatric disorders: The Finnish Adoptive Family Study of Schizophrenia
Findings from a doctoral dissertation suggest that poor adolescent peer relationships (fewer close peer relations, less initiative-taking in peer relationships) may be risk factors for later psychiatric disorders. The findings also suggest that poor social functioning may be emphasized in adolescents who are at high genetic risk for a severe psychiatric disorder (schizophrenia) and whose family processes are dysfunctional.
The dissertation is based on the globally well-known data of the Finnish Adoptive Family Study of Schizophrenia. The aim was to study the association of social functioning during adolescence (ages 16–20) with high genetic risk for schizophrenia and family functioning. The association of these factors with later mental health of the study subjects was also examined. The study sample consisted of adoptees who were at high genetic risk for schizophrenia by their biological mother. The control group consisted of adoptees whose biological mothers had no diagnosis of schizophrenia. The high-risk and control adoptees were reared in adoptive families that were carefully matched based on their background characteristics, making the rearing environment of the adoptees comparable. The adoption study design enables the examination of both genetic and family environmental factors and their interaction. Thus, the study design makes it possible to examine if adoptees at high genetic risk for schizophrenia are more sensitive to the different environmental factors compared to adoptees without such genetic risk.
The findings highlight the importance of positive adolescent social relationships and family environment (e.g., positive relationships between family members, empathy, constructive communication) on an individual’s later mental health and well-being. These factors may be protective against psychiatric disorders especially in offspring who are at high genetic risk for schizophrenia, but also in all offspring in general. In addition to childhood, the significance of the rearing environment and parenthood on offspring’s psychosocial development and well-being is also emphasized during adolescence. The importance of other social environments (e.g., school, hobbies) and their cooperation in supporting offspring’s social development and well-being is highlighted. The present findings can be utilized in identifying individuals who may be at increased risk for psychiatric disorders, in recognizing targets for prevention, and in developing preventive strategies.
The dissertation is based on the globally well-known data of the Finnish Adoptive Family Study of Schizophrenia. The aim was to study the association of social functioning during adolescence (ages 16–20) with high genetic risk for schizophrenia and family functioning. The association of these factors with later mental health of the study subjects was also examined. The study sample consisted of adoptees who were at high genetic risk for schizophrenia by their biological mother. The control group consisted of adoptees whose biological mothers had no diagnosis of schizophrenia. The high-risk and control adoptees were reared in adoptive families that were carefully matched based on their background characteristics, making the rearing environment of the adoptees comparable. The adoption study design enables the examination of both genetic and family environmental factors and their interaction. Thus, the study design makes it possible to examine if adoptees at high genetic risk for schizophrenia are more sensitive to the different environmental factors compared to adoptees without such genetic risk.
The findings highlight the importance of positive adolescent social relationships and family environment (e.g., positive relationships between family members, empathy, constructive communication) on an individual’s later mental health and well-being. These factors may be protective against psychiatric disorders especially in offspring who are at high genetic risk for schizophrenia, but also in all offspring in general. In addition to childhood, the significance of the rearing environment and parenthood on offspring’s psychosocial development and well-being is also emphasized during adolescence. The importance of other social environments (e.g., school, hobbies) and their cooperation in supporting offspring’s social development and well-being is highlighted. The present findings can be utilized in identifying individuals who may be at increased risk for psychiatric disorders, in recognizing targets for prevention, and in developing preventive strategies.
Last updated: 23.1.2024