The genetic composition of high school friends can influence an individual's mental health, including traits related to psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and addiction, which can have long-term consequences well into early adulthood.
A study led by a Rutgers Health professor has found that an individual's genetic predisposition to mental health and substance use disorders can significantly influence the risk of friends and peers developing the same disorders, even after controlling for genetic and socioeconomic factors.
The study highlights the emerging field of socio-genomics, which explores how an individual's genotype can impact the observable traits and health outcomes of their social network, particularly among those who attended the same school.
Genetic effects on mental health and substance use disorders were found to be stronger between school peers than those growing up in the same area, highlighting the importance of network-based and social interventions to address these socially costly disorders.
Genetic influences were found to be especially strong with peers in the same educational track
Peers' genetic traits can influence an individual's health trajectory, including their risk of developing drug and alcohol use disorders, depression, and anxiety.
The genetic influence of peers on psychiatric and addiction disorders can persist for at least a decade after school.
The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, used Swedish national data to assess peer social genetic effects on psychiatric disorders.
Sources: Iatronet, HTWorld, Newsroom Odisha, Fox 28 Spokane, Social News XYZ, Fox 41 Yakima, Newswise, Mirage News, Global News, Medical Xpress, US News, Top Santé, MDR
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
