Age at separation, residential mobility, and depressive symptoms among twins in late adolescence and young adulthood: a FinnTwin12 cohort study

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesLeaving the parental home at an early age represents a major life event for an adolescent and may predispose them to poor mental health. This study aims to examine the effect of age at separation and residential mobility (from residential records) on depressive symptoms among twins in late adolescence and young adulthood. Age at separation of twins in a twin pair was used as a proxy indicator for the age of leaving the parental homeMethodsThe participants (n=3055) are from the FinnTwin12 cohort. Residential mobility consisted of the number and total distance of moves before age 17. First, we used linear regression to assess the association of age at separation and residential mobility with log-transformed General Behavior Inventory (GBI) scores at age 17 and in young adulthood. Then, the mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) was used to visualize the GBI scores’ trajectory and test the associations, controlling for “baseline” state.ResultsIn the adjusted linear regression, compared to twins separated before age 17, twins who separated in the later three groups all were significantly lower on log-transformed GBI scores at age 17. The two groups of twins who separated after age 19.5 scored lower GBIs in young adulthood. Compared to twins who never moved before age 17, moving twice led to a lower GBI score. In MMRM, twins who separated later all had lower GBI scores in young adulthood. Twins who moved twice or more had lower GBI scores in young adulthood.ConclusionThe current study provides valid evidence of the family influence on depressive symptoms in later adolescence and young adulthood. A strong association between residential mobility and depressive symptoms was affirmed, although further research is still needed in the future.