Abstract
The serotonin system has been shown to be involved in the regulation of hostility, anger, and aggressive behavior. Previous
molecular genetic studies suggest that the serotonin receptor 1B (HTR1B) rs6296 genotype might have a particular role in these
types of behaviors. We examined whether HTR1B is related to hostility, anger, and aggressive behavior phenotypes over a lifespan
and whether it modifies the connection between childhood aggressive behavior and adulthood hostility and anger. The participants
were 967 women and men from a large population based sample (The Young Finns Study) with a 27-year follow-up. Childhood aggressive
behavior was reported by the mother twice when the participants were 3 to 12 years of age. Adulthood hostility and anger were
self-reported by the participants between ages 24 and 36. Childhood aggressive behavior predicted adulthood hostility over
27 years. HTR1B SNP rs6296 was associated with childhood aggressive behavior but not with adulthood anger or hostility. The
HTR1B SNP rs6296 modified the association between childhood aggressive behavior and adulthood hostility. Aggressive behavior
and hostility might form a life course pattern, and the HTR1B might contribute to a development of this pattern.
molecular genetic studies suggest that the serotonin receptor 1B (HTR1B) rs6296 genotype might have a particular role in these
types of behaviors. We examined whether HTR1B is related to hostility, anger, and aggressive behavior phenotypes over a lifespan
and whether it modifies the connection between childhood aggressive behavior and adulthood hostility and anger. The participants
were 967 women and men from a large population based sample (The Young Finns Study) with a 27-year follow-up. Childhood aggressive
behavior was reported by the mother twice when the participants were 3 to 12 years of age. Adulthood hostility and anger were
self-reported by the participants between ages 24 and 36. Childhood aggressive behavior predicted adulthood hostility over
27 years. HTR1B SNP rs6296 was associated with childhood aggressive behavior but not with adulthood anger or hostility. The
HTR1B SNP rs6296 modified the association between childhood aggressive behavior and adulthood hostility. Aggressive behavior
and hostility might form a life course pattern, and the HTR1B might contribute to a development of this pattern.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-012-9452-y
- Authors
- Christian Hakulinen, IBS, Unit of Personality, Work and Health Psychology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Markus Jokela, IBS, Unit of Personality, Work and Health Psychology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Mirka Hintsanen, IBS, Unit of Personality, Work and Health Psychology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Päivi Merjonen, IBS, Unit of Personality, Work and Health Psychology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Laura Pulkki-Råback, IBS, Unit of Personality, Work and Health Psychology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Ilkka Seppälä, Laboratory of Atherosclerosis Genetics, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Centre for Laboratory Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Leo-Pekka Lyytikäinen, Laboratory of Atherosclerosis Genetics, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Centre for Laboratory Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Terho Lehtimäki, Laboratory of Atherosclerosis Genetics, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Centre for Laboratory Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
- Mika Kähönen, Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
- Jorma Viikari, Department of Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Olli T. Raitakari, Research Centre of Applied and Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Liisa Keltikangas-Järvinen, IBS, Unit of Personality, Work and Health Psychology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715