The British Journal of Psychiatry (2009) 195: 498-503. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.108.056853
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Transition from stress sensitivity to a depressive state: longitudinal twin study

Marieke Wichers, MSc, PhD and Nicole Geschwind, MSc

Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Nele Jacobs, MSc, PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, and Faculty of Psychology, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen

Gunter Kenis, MSc, PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University

Frenk Peeters, MSc, MD, PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University

Catherine Derom, MSc, PhD

Department of Human Genetics, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium;

Evert Thiery, MSc, MD, PhD

Association for Scientific Research in Multiple Births, Ghent, Belgium

Philippe Delespaul, MSc, PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University

Jim van Os, MSc, MD, PhD, MRCPsych

Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Maastricht University, The Netherlands, and Division of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

Correspondence: Correspondence: M. C. Wichers, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, South Limburg Mental Health Research and Teaching Network, EURON, Vijverdalseweg 1, Concorde Building, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Email: m.wichers{at}sp.unimaas.nl

Declaration of interest

None.

Background

Daily-life stress sensitivity is associated with depression, but prospective data are lacking.

Aims

To examine associations between baseline ecological daily-life stress sensitivity and later depression, and to identify genetic and non-genetic factors moderating the transition from stress sensitivity to depression.

Method

Daily-life stress sensitivity was assessed at baseline in twins (n = 502). One baseline and four follow-up measurements of depressive symptoms and negative life events were collected, as well as interview-based diagnoses at baseline and last follow-up. Hypothesised genetic markers were determined.

Results

Baseline stress sensitivity was associated with increased depressive symptoms at follow-up and risk of major depressive disorder. Both genetic liability and major life events moderated the probability of transition from stress sensitivity to depression.

Conclusions

Onset of depression is attributable to pre-onset ecological measurements of stress sensitivity, particularly where genetic liability is high and individuals have reached a stage where the influence of competing environmental causes is low.


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