how the environment affects mental health

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British Journal of PsychiatryMichael Rutter2005

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  • For many years there was an assumptionFor many years there was an assumption

    that the extensive documentation of statisti-that the extensive documentation of statisti-

    cal associations between risky environ-cal associations between risky environ-

    ments and mental disorders necessarilyments and mental disorders necessarily

    represented the operation of environmen-represented the operation of environmen-

    tally mediated causal mechanisms. Threetally mediated causal mechanisms. Three

    considerations challenged that assumption.considerations challenged that assumption.

    First, psychosocial researchers recognisedFirst, psychosocial researchers recognised

    the need to differentiate between risk indi-the need to differentiate between risk indi-

    cators (features that indexed risks but didcators (features that indexed risks but did

    not themselves provide the risk) and risknot themselves provide the risk) and risk

    mediators (features involved in the actualmediators (features involved in the actual

    risk processes leading to mental disorders).risk processes leading to mental disorders).

    Thus, in the 1970s it became apparent thatThus, in the 1970s it became apparent that

    the main risk for antisocial behaviour asso-the main risk for antisocial behaviour asso-

    ciated with broken homes was a functionciated with broken homes was a function

    of family discord and conflict, rather thanof family discord and conflict, rather than

    family break-up as such. Similarly, in thefamily break-up as such. Similarly, in the

    1980s it was shown that the risks of depres-1980s it was shown that the risks of depres-

    sive disorders in adult life were a functionsive disorders in adult life were a function

    of impaired parenting, rather than parentalof impaired parenting, rather than parental

    loss. As part of this same issue, it came toloss. As part of this same issue, it came to

    be appreciated that distal risks needed tobe appreciated that distal risks needed to

    be differentiated from proximal risks. Thus,be differentiated from proximal risks. Thus,

    poverty constituted a distal risk for childpoverty constituted a distal risk for child

    mental disorder because it made goodmental disorder because it made good

    parenting more difficult, but the proximalparenting more difficult, but the proximal

    risk mediator involved family malfunctionrisk mediator involved family malfunction

    rather than lack of economic resources.rather than lack of economic resources.

    Second, Bell (1968) emphasised thatSecond, Bell (1968) emphasised that

    children had effects on their parents, justchildren had effects on their parents, just

    as parents had effects on their children.as parents had effects on their children.

    The association between family featuresThe association between family features

    and child disorder could not simply beand child disorder could not simply be

    assumed to reflect adverse socialisationassumed to reflect adverse socialisation

    practices; instead it might derive from thepractices; instead it might derive from the

    effects of a difficult child on family func-effects of a difficult child on family func-

    tioning. Longitudinal data were essentialtioning. Longitudinal data were essential

    to determine the direction of the causalto determine the direction of the causal

    arrow. Third, twin and adoptee studiesarrow. Third, twin and adoptee studies

    showed that, even though risks were dueshowed that, even though risks were due

    to an environmental feature, the risks mightto an environmental feature, the risks might

    nevertheless be genetically mediated in partnevertheless be genetically mediated in part

    (Plomin & Bergeman, 1991) because, if(Plomin & Bergeman, 1991) because, if

    the environmental feature concerned any-the environmental feature concerned any-

    thing that was influenced by parentalthing that was influenced by parental

    behaviour (as would be the case withbehaviour (as would be the case with

    variables such as family conflict, divorcevariables such as family conflict, divorce

    or parentchild interaction), individual dif-or parentchild interaction), individual dif-

    ferences in such behaviour were likely to beferences in such behaviour were likely to be

    genetically influenced to some extent. Studygenetically influenced to some extent. Study

    designs were needed that could differentiatedesigns were needed that could differentiate

    between genetic and environmental media-between genetic and environmental media-

    tion. Twin and adoptee strategies of varioustion. Twin and adoptee strategies of various

    kinds provide just that possibility, andkinds provide just that possibility, and

    they have produced good evidence of thethey have produced good evidence of the

    reality and importance of environmentallyreality and importance of environmentally

    mediated risks for psychological and psy-mediated risks for psychological and psy-

    chopathological outcomes (Rutter, 2004chopathological outcomes (Rutter, 2004aa).).

    However, they are by no means the only re-However, they are by no means the only re-

    levant designs; psychosocial researcherslevant designs; psychosocial researchers

    have also pioneered the use of natural ex-have also pioneered the use of natural ex-

    periments of diverse kinds, their commonperiments of diverse kinds, their common

    feature being that they involved a radicalfeature being that they involved a radical

    change of environment, and a pulling apartchange of environment, and a pulling apart

    of variables that ordinarily go together, theof variables that ordinarily go together, the

    effects of which could be studied by mea-effects of which could be studied by mea-

    suring within-individual change investi-suring within-individual change investi-

    gated through the use of longitudinalgated through the use of longitudinal

    data. By these means, environmentallydata. By these means, environmentally

    mediated risks have been demonstratedmediated risks have been demonstrated

    for various aspects of the family rearingfor various aspects of the family rearing

    environment, and also for peer group,environment, and also for peer group,

    school and community influences.school and community influences.

    Four features of the research findingsFour features of the research findings

    need to be particularly highlighted. First,need to be particularly highlighted. First,

    despite some claims to the contrary, envir-despite some claims to the contrary, envir-

    onmental influences have been found toonmental influences have been found to

    operate within the normal range, and notoperate within the normal range, and not

    just in relation to extreme environmentsjust in relation to extreme environments

    (although, for obvious reasons, the effects(although, for obvious reasons, the effects

    of the latter are greater). Second, environ-of the latter are greater). Second, environ-

    mental effects have been shown not onlymental effects have been shown not only

    for influences in infancy, but also for influ-for influences in infancy, but also for influ-

    ences in middle childhood (Duymeences in middle childhood (Duyme et alet al,,

    1999) and even in adult life (Laub1999) and even in adult life (Laub et alet al,,

    1998). Third, the environmentally medi-1998). Third, the environmentally medi-

    ated risks include prenatal influencesated risks include prenatal influences

    (such as maternal drug and alcohol use(such as maternal drug and alcohol use

    and severe maternal stress) and postnataland severe maternal stress) and postnatal

    physical influences (such as brain injuryphysical influences (such as brain injury

    and adolescents heavy early use of canna-and adolescents heavy early use of canna-

    bis). The span of risk influences is substan-bis). The span of risk influences is substan-

    tially wider than has sometimes beentially wider than has sometimes been

    assumed. Fourth, with all known environ-assumed. Fourth, with all known environ-

    mental hazards (both physical and psycho-mental hazards (both physical and psycho-

    social) there is a huge individual variationsocial) there is a huge individual variation

    in response (Rutter, 2004in response (Rutter, 2004bb): some indivi-): some indivi-

    duals succumb; some appear remarkablyduals succumb; some appear remarkably

    resilient; and a few even seem strengthenedresilient; and a few even seem strengthened

    as a result of having coped successfully withas a result of having coped successfully with

    stress and adversity. It might be supposedstress and adversity. It might be supposed

    that the individual differences merely re-that the individual differences merely re-

    flect variations in the severity and numberflect variations in the severity and number

    of risks involved, but experimental studiesof risks involved, but experimental studies

    in both animals and humans have shownin both animals and humans have shown

    that this does not account for the phenom-that this does not account for the phenom-

    enon of resilience (despite the fact thatenon of resilience (despite the fact that

    some studies were flawed by a failure to as-some studies were flawed by a failure to as-

    sess the severity of risk satisfactorily, and/orsess the severity of risk satisfactorily, and/or

    by a failure to examine an adequate rangeby a failure to examine an adequate range

    of outcomes). The features underlying theof outcomes). The features underlying the

    individual differences include strengtheningindividual differences include strengthening

    (or weakening) experiences prior to risk ex-(or weakening) experiences prior to risk ex-

    posure, protective influences operating atposure, protective influences operating at

    the time of risk exposure, and recuperativethe time of risk exposure, and recuperative

    positive turning-point experiences subse-positive turning-point experiences subse-

    quent to the experience of risk. However,quent to the experience of risk. However,

    a key influence that has been highlighteda key influence that has been highlighted

    by recent research (see Rutter, 2004by recent research (see Rutter, 2004aa) is) is

    genetically influenced vulnerability to (orgenetically influenced vulnerability to (or

    protection against) environmental risk.protection against) environmental risk.

    SHAREDANDNON-SHAREDSHAREDANDNON-SHAREDEFFECTSEFFECTS

    Plomin & Daniels (1987) argued that en-Plomin & Daniels (1987) argued that en-

    vironmental differences among familiesvironmental differences among families

    were of little consequence and that atten-were of little consequence and that atten-

    tion needed to be focused on child-specifiction needed to be focused on child-specific

    environmental influences, because environ-environmental influences, because environ-

    ments tended to make children in the samements tended to make children in the same

    family different. The paper was helpful infamily different. The paper was helpful in

    its emphasis on the need to measure puta-its emphasis on the need to measure puta-

    tive psychosocial influences as they actuallytive psychosocial influences as they actually

    impinge on individuals (reiterating aimpinge on individuals (reiterating a

    message from psychosocial researchers overmessage from psychosocial researchers over

    20 years earlier who developed the person-20 years earlier who developed the person-

    specific measure of negative expressedspecific measure of negative expressed

    emotion). However, the distinction be-emotion). However, the distinction be-

    tween shared and non-shared environmen-tween shared and non-shared environmen-

    tal effects, which was central to the paper,tal effects, which was central to the paper,

    has held back progress because of the wayshas held back progress because of the ways

    in which it was interpreted. Many re-in which it was interpreted. Many re-

    viewers (both geneticists and others) haveviewers (both geneticists and others) have

    supposed that the findings meant thatsupposed that the findings meant that

    family-wide influences had little effect onfamily-wide influences had little effect on

    either psychological development or riskeither psychological development or risk

    of psychopathological disorder. In fact,of psychopathological disorder. In fact,

    the research shows nothing of the kind.the research shows nothing of the kind.

    The sharedThe shared vv. non-shared distinction has. non-shared distinction has

    44

    BR IT I SH JOURNAL OF P SYCHIATRYBR IT I SH JOURNAL OF P SYCHIATRY ( 2 0 0 5 ) , 1 8 6 , 4 ^ 6( 2 0 0 5 ) , 1 8 6 , 4 ^ 6 EDITORIALEDITORIAL

    How the environment affects mental health*How the environment affects mental health*

    MICHAEL RUTTERMICHAEL RUTTER

    *This is one of a short series of editorials beingpublished*This is one of a short series of editorials being publishedin thein the JournalJournal tomark the10th anniversaryof the Social,tomark the10th anniversaryof the Social,Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre attheGenetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre attheInstitute of Psychiatry.Institute of Psychiatry.

  • ENVIRONMENT AND MENTAL HEALTHENVIRONMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH

    nothing to do with whether the influencesnothing to do with whether the influences

    are or are not family-wide, and indeed hasare or are not family-wide, and indeed has

    nothing to do with whether the influencesnothing to do with whether the influences

    are within or outside the family. Theare within or outside the family. The

    distinction is solely concerned with whetherdistinction is solely concerned with whether

    the environmental influences tend to makethe environmental influences tend to make

    siblings similar or different. Child-specificsiblings similar or different. Child-specific

    experiences within the family (such asexperiences within the family (such as

    abuse or parental negativity) may neverthe-abuse or parental negativity) may neverthe-

    less have a largely shared effect if theless have a largely shared effect if the

    experiences of the siblings are sufficientlyexperiences of the siblings are sufficiently

    similar; see Pikesimilar; see Pike et alet al (1996) for an exam-(1996) for an exam-

    ple. The same would apply to peer groupple. The same would apply to peer group

    experiences if they were similar for dif-experiences if they were similar for dif-

    ferent siblings. Conversely, family-wideferent siblings. Conversely, family-wide

    influences (such as poverty, conflict orinfluences (such as poverty, conflict or

    neglect) might have largely non-shared ef-neglect) might have largely non-shared ef-

    fects if the key features impinge on the chil-fects if the key features impinge on the chil-

    dren to differing degrees or in varyingdren to differing degrees or in varying

    ways, or if the children vary in their vulner-ways, or if the children vary in their vulner-

    ability to risk environments. It is also perti-ability to risk environments. It is also perti-

    nent that the relative importance of sharednent that the relative importance of shared

    and non-shared effects varies according toand non-shared effects varies according to

    type of psychopathology so that sharedtype of psychopathology so that shared

    effects are more important in relation toeffects are more important in relation to

    antisocial behaviour than to depression.antisocial behaviour than to depression.

    The message to researchers is to measureThe message to researchers is to measure

    environmental influences in individual-environmental influences in individual-

    specific ways but not to assume that thisspecific ways but not to assume that this

    means that overall family influences aremeans that overall family influences are

    unimportant. Similarly, the message to clin-unimportant. Similarly, the message to clin-

    icians is to consider how risky environ-icians is to consider how risky environ-

    ments actually impinge on, and affect,ments actually impinge on, and affect,

    individual children (or adults), but not toindividual children (or adults), but not to

    assume that family-wide risks do not matter.assume that family-wide risks do not matter.

    A somewhat related issue concerns theA somewhat related issue concerns the

    distinction between environmental effectsdistinction between environmental effects

    on the level of a trait, or the frequency ofon the level of a trait, or the frequency of

    a disorder, rather than on individual differ-a disorder, rather than on individual differ-

    ences with respect to that trait or disorder.ences with respect to that trait or disorder.

    Thus, over the past half-century there hasThus, over the past half-century there has

    been a substantial rise in the rate of manybeen a substantial rise in the rate of many

    types of mental disorder in young peopletypes of mental disorder in young people

    (Collishaw(Collishaw et alet al, 2004). The causes of the, 2004). The causes of the

    rise remain ill-understood but the environ-rise remain ill-understood but the environ-

    mental factors involved urgently requiremental factors involved urgently require

    investigation. The same applies to the high-investigation. The same applies to the high-

    er rate of schizophrenia in individuals ofer rate of schizophrenia in individuals of

    Caribbean origin compared with ethnicallyCaribbean origin compared with ethnically

    similar individuals living in the West Indiessimilar individuals living in the West Indies

    or with White people living in the UKor with White people living in the UK

    (Jones & Fung, 2005). Some sort of(Jones & Fung, 2005). Some sort of

    society-wide influence seems to be impli-society-wide influence seems to be impli-

    cated, but it has yet to be identified.cated, but it has yet to be identified.

    RESEARCHCHALLENGESRESEARCHCHALLENGESSTILLTOBEMETSTILLTOBEMET

    What are the main challenges ahead? ThreeWhat are the main challenges ahead? Three

    stand out. First, there is a need for a betterstand out. First, there is a need for a better

    understanding of the kinds of environmen-understanding of the kinds of environmen-

    tal influences that have major risk effects.tal influences that have major risk effects.

    The evidence so far suggests that theseThe evidence so far suggests that these

    include restrictions on the possibility ofinclude restrictions on the possibility of

    developing intense selective social relation-developing intense selective social relation-

    ships (as with institutional rearing), severeships (as with institutional rearing), severe

    disruptions in the security of such relation-disruptions in the security of such relation-

    ships (as with neglect, rejection and scape-ships (as with neglect, rejection and scape-

    goating), life events that carry a long-termgoating), life events that carry a long-term

    threat to such relationships (as with hu-threat to such relationships (as with hu-

    miliating experiences, personal rebuffs ormiliating experiences, personal rebuffs or

    rejections), and social ethos or group influ-rejections), and social ethos or group influ-

    ences of a maladaptive kind (as with anti-ences of a maladaptive kind (as with anti-

    social peer groups or malfunctioningsocial peer groups or malfunctioning

    schools). Also, however, the overall qualityschools). Also, however, the overall quality

    of adultchild interaction and communica-of adultchild interaction and communica-

    tion has been shown to matter. In addition,tion has been shown to matter. In addition,

    it is evident that both prenatal and post-it is evident that both prenatal and post-

    natal influences that affect neuroendocrinenatal influences that affect neuroendocrine

    or neurotransmitter functions are important.or neurotransmitter functions are important.

    The second challenge is to identify theThe second challenge is to identify the

    origins of environmental risk factors,origins of environmental risk factors,

    whether they lie in geneenvironmentwhether they lie in geneenvironment

    correlations (so that genetic factors havecorrelations (so that genetic factors have

    their impact on behaviours that shape ortheir impact on behaviours that shape or

    select environments and, thereby, influenceselect environments and, thereby, influence

    the likelihood of experiencing stress orthe likelihood of experiencing stress or

    adversity), societal elements (such as racialadversity), societal elements (such as racial

    discrimination, poverty or housing policy)discrimination, poverty or housing policy)

    or personal experiences.or personal experiences.

    The third challenge is to determine theThe third challenge is to determine the

    changes in the organism that provide thechanges in the organism that provide the

    basis for the persistence of environmentalbasis for the persistence of environmental

    effects on psychological functioning or psy-effects on psychological functioning or psy-

    chopathology. In many respects, this consti-chopathology. In many respects, this consti-

    tutes the environmental equivalent oftutes the environmental equivalent of

    sequencing the human genome (i.e. thesequencing the human genome (i.e. the

    basic need). There is a major Canadian in-basic need). There is a major Canadian in-

    itiative on this topic (the Canadian Instituteitiative on this topic (the Canadian Institute

    for Advanced Research consortium onfor Advanced Research consortium on

    Experienced-based brain and biologicalExperienced-based brain and biological

    development), but regrettably the UK isdevelopment), but regrettably the UK is

    lagging behind. Several different types oflagging behind. Several different types of

    mediation need to be considered. Excitingmediation need to be considered. Exciting

    findings from Michael Meaneys researchfindings from Michael Meaneys research

    group have shown that environmentalgroup have shown that environmental

    influences affect gene expression throughinfluences affect gene expression through

    influences on methylation (Weaverinfluences on methylation (Weaver et alet al,,

    2004); in other words, environments affect2004); in other words, environments affect

    genes not through effects on genegenes not through effects on gene

    sequence but through effects on genesequence but through effects on gene

    expression (which is how genes act).expression (which is how genes act).

    Environments also affect the programmingEnvironments also affect the programming

    of brain development (Rutter, 2004of brain development (Rutter, 2004cc); this); this

    was shown first with respect to vision (lead-was shown first with respect to vision (lead-

    ing to a Nobel prize for Hubel and Wiesel),ing to a Nobel prize for Hubel and Wiesel),

    but it is now clear that it applies morebut it is now clear that it applies more

    widely. Furthermore, environments affectwidely. Furthermore, environments affect

    neuroendocrine structure and functioningneuroendocrine structure and functioning

    and, through such effects, may influenceand, through such effects, may influence

    brain development. Experiences may affectbrain development. Experiences may affect

    patterns of interpersonal interaction thatpatterns of interpersonal interaction that

    become influential through their role inbecome influential through their role in

    the shaping of later environments; in addi-the shaping of later environments; in addi-

    tion, experiences have to undergo cognitivetion, experiences have to undergo cognitive

    and affective processing, so that what hap-and affective processing, so that what hap-

    pens to individuals influences their mentalpens to individuals influences their mental

    concepts and models of themselves and ofconcepts and models of themselves and of

    their environments. The relative import-their environments. The relative import-

    ance of these, and other, possibilities withance of these, and other, possibilities with

    respect to different outcomes has yet to berespect to different outcomes has yet to be

    established. The questions are answerable,established. The questions are answerable,

    and require the bringing together of genet-and require the bringing together of genet-

    ic, social and developmental perspectivesic, social and developmental perspectives

    in an integrated fashion. If this is to hap-in an integrated fashion. If this is to hap-

    pen, funding agencies will need to take onpen, funding agencies will need to take on

    the challenge of supporting research thatthe challenge of supporting research that

    can tackle these questions. Meanwhile, thecan tackle these questions. Meanwhile, the

    message to clinicians is to consider themessage to clinicians is to consider the

    important interplay that shapes environ-important interplay that shapes environ-

    mental effects.mental effects.

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    MICHAEL RUTTER, FRCPsych,Box number PO80, Social,Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre,MICHAEL RUTTER, FRCPsych,Box number PO80, Social,Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre,Institute of Psychiatry,De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF,UK. E-mail: j.wickhamInstitute of Psychiatry,De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF,UK. E-mail: j.wickham@@iop.kcl.ac.ukiop.kcl.ac.uk

    (First received 25 October 2004, final revision 8 November 2004, accepted 8 November 2004)(First received 25 October 2004, final revision 8 November 2004, accepted 8 November 2004)

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  • 10.1192/bjp.186.1.4Access the most recent version at DOI: 2005, 186:4-6.BJP

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