A recent study published in the journal Behavior Genetics has found a slight association between higher intelligence and a reduced risk of psychopathology in Dutch twins. The research suggests that common genetic factors contribute to both higher intelligence and protection against certain mental health issues.
The study analyzed data from 1,089 twins, including 543 complete pairs, to examine the link between intelligence and five aspects of psychopathology: negative affect, anxiety, oppositional defiant disorder, autism, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The researchers found that all five groups of psychopathology symptoms were slightly less common in participants with higher intelligence.
Notably, the study revealed that the association between intelligence and symptoms of anxiety, ADHD, and autism was primarily driven by common genetic factors. This suggests that the same genetic influences that contribute to higher intelligence also reduce the risk of developing these mental health issues.
The researchers also found that the heritability of anxiety and negative affect varied depending on the level of intelligence. Specifically, the heritability of both anxiety and negative affect was highest in participants with below-average intelligence.
While the study provides valuable insights into the factors behind the link between psychopathology and intelligence, it is essential to note that the association between intelligence and psychopathology was very low, practically negligible, and may not be present if the study were conducted on a less selected sample of twins.
Source: https://www.psypost.org/study-reveals-subtle-genetic-link-between-intelligence-and-mental-health/