Unravelling Quasi–Causal Environmental Effects via Phenotypic and Genetically Informed Multi–Rater Models: The Case of Differential Parenting and Authoritarianism

Abstract

This study investigated the association between different experiences of parenting and individual right–wing authoritarianism (RWA) using twin family data comprising self– and informant reports. We applied a design that allowed us to examine whether the link between retrospective assessments of parenting and current RWA is effectively environmental or whether the association is attributable to genetic influences. We hypothesized that an authoritarian parenting style (low responsiveness and high demandingness) provided by the parents is associated with higher offspring's RWA, and that this association is similar for both twin siblings as a function of their genetic relatedness and shared familial experiences—that is, genotype–environment correlation. A sample of 875 twins as well as 319 mothers and 268 fathers completed a questionnaire on twins’ parental environment and their own authoritarian attitudes. Additionally, 1322 well–informed peers assessed twins’ RWA. Applying structural equation modelling, we found twins’ experiences of parental responsiveness and demandingness to be positively associated with self–reported and peer–reported RWA. The correlation between responsiveness and RWA was similar for both twins due to their genetic similarity, whereas twin differences in demandingness were positively associated with twin differences in RWA, indicating quasi–causal environmental effects. Implications for the interdependence between parenting and RWA are discussed. Copyright © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology