AIMS

1. To estimate a twin model investigating the extent to which the covariance of PTSD and disordered eating is due to genetic and environmental influences.

a. It is hypothesized that additive genetic and unique environmental factors will significantly influence the variance of PTSD and disordered eating as well as their covariance.

2. To estimate a network model of genetic and psychosocial variables associated with PTSD and disordered eating among a sample of women.

a. It is hypothesized that many genetic and psychosocial variables will overlap with both PTSD and disordered eating.

3. To investigate whether maternal prenatal stress exposure is associated with offspring epigenetic changes and disordered eating.

a. It is hypothesized that maternal stress will be directly and indirectly associated with offspring disordered eating.

4. To investigate whether associations identified in Aim #3 apply to the etiology of substance use and depressive symptomatology as well as disordered eating.

a. It is hypothesized that both similarities and differences in DNA methylation patterns will be observed in the relations between maternal prenatal stress exposure and offspring disordered eating, substance use, and depressive symptomatology.

An overview of the study design to meet aims 3 and 4 can be found in the attached powerpoint file.