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Genetic and Environmental Influences on the Relationship Among Combat Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, and Alcohol Use

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Journal of Traumatic Stress

Abstract

The role of genetic and environmental influences on the relationship between combat exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and alcohol use were examined in 4072 male–male twin pairs who served in the United States military during the Vietnam era (1965–1975). Results indicate that the relationship between combat and alcohol use and between PTSD symptom factors and alcohol use were both substantially influenced by genetic factors. Findings are most consistent with a shared vulnerability model for the etiology of the association between PTSD symptoms and alcohol use. Specific unique environmental factors were more important than genetic factors for PTSD symptoms, and both factors were equally important for alcohol use. Further support is also found for the role of the unique environment in PTSD symptoms.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts

    D. Scott McLeod, Karestan C. Koenen & Michael J. Lyons

  2. Division of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York

    Karestan C. Koenen

  3. Department of Human Genetics, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

    Joanne M. Meyer

  4. Harvard Institute of Psychiatric Epidemiology and Genetics, Boston, Massachusetts

    Michael J. Lyons

  5. Department of Psychiatry at the Brockton/West Roxbury VA, Harvard Medical School, Brockton, Massachusetts

    Michael J. Lyons

  6. Medical and Research Services, VA Medical Center, St. Louis

    Seth Eisen & William True

  7. Division of General Medical Sciences, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri

    Seth Eisen & William True

  8. Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development, Hines, Illinois

    Jack Goldberg

  9. Epidemiology Program, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois

    Jack Goldberg

Authors
  1. D. Scott McLeod
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  2. Karestan C. Koenen
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  3. Joanne M. Meyer
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  4. Michael J. Lyons
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  5. Seth Eisen
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  6. William True
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  7. Jack Goldberg
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McLeod, D.S., Koenen, K.C., Meyer, J.M. et al. Genetic and Environmental Influences on the Relationship Among Combat Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, and Alcohol Use. J Trauma Stress 14, 259–275 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011157800050

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