University of Bristol

Academic Institute

B3706

Modifiable risk behaviours include smoking, alcohol intake, drug use, poor diet, and physical inactivity. Participation in risk behaviours in adolescence is associated with poorer mental health at age 18. Participation in risk behaviours and poor mental health are both independently associated with poorer health outcomes later in life and reduced life expectancy. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic variants associated with participation in risk behaviours, depression, anxiety and wellbeing. Given the associations between risk behaviours and mental health outcomes, it is important to understand the genetic overlap between these.

A better understanding of the genetic overlap between participation in risk behaviours and these mental health outcomes would: 1. increase the understanding of the aetiological pathway between the exposure (engagement in risk behaviour) and outcome (poorer mental health) 2. improve the identification of intervention targets.

01/02/2021