[Paracelsus] Bad Behavior? Blame Those Genes! (fwd)

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Subject: [Paracelsus] Bad Behavior? Blame Those Genes!

Bad Behavior? Blame Those Genes!

*By Rebekah Addy, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent*

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Many parents say raising kids is one

of the hardest jobs in the world. When a child acts out in school the

behavior is often attributed to the parents and conflicts at home.

However, a new study indicates it may be the parents' genes, not

arguing, causing the behavioral issues.

Researchers from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville studied

1,045 twins and their 2,051 children. They looked at pairs of twin

parents and gauged how much they fought and how much was observed by

their children. Researchers then looked at whether there were more

conduct issues among the children of the parents with greater marital

conflict. There was not a strong link between the parents' marital

issues and misconduct in their children. Rather, researchers report more

difficult behavior seems to be partially inherited.

" It is important to emphasize that our conclusion is not that genes are

entirely responsible for conduct disorder in children, " Turkheimer,

Ph.D., co-author of the study, told Ivanhoe. " Rather, we have shown that

the association between parental marital conflict and conduct disorder

appears to be mediated by genetic factors. "

While genes play a key role in determining children's behaviors, it is

still important for parents to be aware of their behavior. Dr.

Turkheimer said children often imitate both the positive and negative

behaviors of their parents. Setting a good example can make a difference

in the behavior of children.

Although fighting in front of children is not recommended, parents may

not need to worry too much about harming their children. " The findings

could provide some degree of comfort to parents who are concerned that

their marital conflicts are having a negative effect on their children.

There are many good reasons why parents would not want to fight in front

of children, but causing conduct disorder in the kids is probably not

one of them, " Dr. Turkheimer said.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by

e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on:

http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Turkheimer, Ph.D.; /Child

Development/, 2007;78

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