“How Cognitive Genetic Factors Influence Fertility Outcomes: A Mediational SEM Analysis”, 2016-08-18 (; similar):
Utilizing a newly released cognitive Polygenic Score (PGS) from Wave IV of Add Health (n = 1,886), structural equation models (SEMs) examining the relationship between PGS and fertility (which is ~50% complete in the present sample), using measures of verbal IQ and educational attainment as potential mediators, were estimated.
The results of indirect pathway models revealed that verbal IQ mediates the positive relationship between PGS and educational attainment, and educational attainment in turn mediates the negative relationship between IQ and a latent fertility measure. The direct path from PGS to fertility was non-statistically-significant. The model was robust to controlling for age, sex, and race; furthermore, the results of a multi-group SEM revealed no statistically-significant differences in the estimated path coefficients across sex.
These results indicate that those predisposed towards higher IQ by virtue of higher PGS values are also predisposed towards trading fertility against time spent in education, which contributes to those with higher PGS values producing fewer offspring.