What type of studies involves research among siblings, parents, or children for genetic links?

Family studies are designed to investigate the heritability of traits and disorders by examining family relationships—this typically includes siblings, parents, and children. By assessing the rates of specific traits or conditions within families, researchers can identify patterns that suggest a genetic component. The underlying premise is that if a trait is more common among biological relatives than among unrelated individuals, genetic factors are likely involved.

Family studies can help discern the influence of genetics versus environment by comparing the prevalence of traits across different types of family relations. This approach is valuable in understanding complex characteristics such as intelligence, personality, and various psychological conditions.

While adoption studies focus on the environment by evaluating individuals raised apart from their biological families, and twin studies look at both genetic and environmental contributions by comparing identical and fraternal twins, family studies specifically emphasize direct familial connections to establish genetic connections.