Abstract
The goal of the current study was to examine environmental and genetic correlates of children’s levels of behavioral inhibition
(BI). Participants were 100 mother child pairs drawn from the community who were part of a larger study of the intergenerational
transmission of depression. Results indicated that higher levels of maternal overprotection, as reported by the child, were
associated with elevations in BI among children carrying two copies of the lower expressing 5-HTTLPR alleles (S or LG), but not among those carrying only one copy or those homozygous for the LA allele. In addition, this interaction was specific for the social component of BI, not the nonsocial component. This relation
was maintained even after statistically controlling for children’s and mother’s psychopathology. Together, these findings
add to emerging research demonstrating that G × E interactions predict variation in BI during childhood.
(BI). Participants were 100 mother child pairs drawn from the community who were part of a larger study of the intergenerational
transmission of depression. Results indicated that higher levels of maternal overprotection, as reported by the child, were
associated with elevations in BI among children carrying two copies of the lower expressing 5-HTTLPR alleles (S or LG), but not among those carrying only one copy or those homozygous for the LA allele. In addition, this interaction was specific for the social component of BI, not the nonsocial component. This relation
was maintained even after statistically controlling for children’s and mother’s psychopathology. Together, these findings
add to emerging research demonstrating that G × E interactions predict variation in BI during childhood.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-011-9526-2
- Authors
- Katie L. Burkhouse, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, USA
- Brandon E. Gibb, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, USA
- Meredith E. Coles, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, USA
- Valerie S. Knopik, Division of Behavioral Genetics, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
- John E. McGeary, Division of Behavioral Genetics, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627