Sun Sep 15 10:01:18 UTC 2024: ## Your Friends’ Genes Could Be Affecting Your Mental Health: Study

**New Brunswick, NJ** – A groundbreaking new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests that the genetic predispositions of your social circle, particularly during adolescence, can significantly impact your own risk of developing mental health disorders and substance abuse problems.

Researchers from Rutgers University analyzed data from over 650,000 Swedish health records, examining the genetic risk scores of individuals aged 17 to 30 for various health conditions including drug use, alcohol use, depression, and anxiety disorders. They found that individuals who attended high school with peers who had a higher genetic risk for these disorders were more likely to develop similar issues themselves, even if they didn’t share the same genetic predisposition.

The study found that the association between peer genetics and individual risk was particularly strong for substance use disorders, with a 59% increased risk for those who attended high school with peers who had a higher genetic risk. A smaller but still significant influence was observed for those who lived in the same area, with the effect most noticeable between the ages of 16 and 19.

This study highlights the concept of “socio-genomics,” which explores the idea that one person’s genetic makeup can influence the observable traits of another. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the findings suggest that peer group genetics might play a role in shaping individual behavior and vulnerability to certain health problems.

“What our data exemplifies is the long reach of social genetic effects,” explains Dr. Jessica Salvatore, lead author of the study and a psychiatrist at Rutgers University. “It’s not enough to think about individual risk.”

The study’s findings have important implications for both diagnosis and treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and how this information can be used to improve prevention and intervention strategies.

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