Sarah is a 23-year-old woman whose sister has recently been diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Jacob is a 25-year-old man whose brother has recently been diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Based on studies which have investigated genetic vulnerability, you should predict that

A) Sarah is at a higher risk than Jacob for developing a depressive disorder.
B) Jacob is at a higher risk than Sarah for developing a depressive disorder.
C) both Sarah and Jacob are equally likely to develop a depressive disorder.
D) neither Sarah nor Jacob is likely to develop a depressive disorder.

Question

Marina Guirguis · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : A, Explanation :  Studies have shown that there is a genetic vulnerability to depression, and having a family member with depression increases the risk of developing the disorder. Since Sarah is the younger sister of someone with depression, she is closer in age and genetic similarity, therefore at a higher risk than Jacob who is the older brother of someone with depression.

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