Behavior Genetic Approaches in Behavioral Medicine

Leading researchers examine how behavior genetics provides crucial insights into genetic and environmental influences in the development of biobehavioral disorders. These influences are illustrated by using the examples of cardiovascular disease, obesity and eating disorders, alcohol use and abuse, and smoking behavior. Contributors discuss the relevance of molecular genetic approaches and twin and family designs to the complex field of behavior medicine research.

I Orientation.- 1 Behavior Genetic Approaches in Behavioral Medicine: An Introduction.- II Addictive Behaviors.- 2 Mediators and Moderators of Alcoholism Inheritance.- 3 Genetic Influences on Smoking Behavior.- 4 Smoking and Addictive Behaviors: Epidemiological, Individual, and Family Factors.- III Stress and Reactivity.- 5 Behavior Genetic Studies of Cardiovascular Responses to Stress.- 6 Developmental Genetic Trends in Blood Pressure Levels and Blood Pressure Reactivity to Stress.- IV Body Weight, Adiposity, and Eating Behaviors.- 7 Genetic Influences on Body Mass Index in Early Childhood.- 8 Genetic Studies of Obesity across the Life Span.- 9 Genetics and Eating Disorders.- V Gender and Ethnicity.- 10 Issues in the Behavior Genetic Investigation of Gender Differences.- 11 Studying Ethnicity and Behavioral Medicine: A Quantitative Genetic Approach.- VI Beyond Heritability.- 12 Genetics, Environmental Risks, and Protective Factors.- 13 Quantitative Trait Loci: Mapping Genes for Complex Traits.- VII Epilogue.- 14 Implications of a Behavior Genetic Perspective in Behavioral Medicine.- Author Index.