Social supports and serotonin transporter gene moderate depression in maltreated children.
In this study, measures of the quality and availability of social supports were found to moderate risk for depression associated with a history of maltreatment and the presence of the short (s) allele of the serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR). The present investigation (i) replicates research in adults showing that 5-HTTLPR variation moderates the development of depression after stress, (ii) extends the finding to children, and (iii) demonstrates the ability of social supports to further moderate risk for depression. Maltreated children with the s/s genotype and no positive supports had the highest depression ratings, scores that were twice as high as the non-maltreated comparison children with the same genotype. However, the presence of positive supports reduced risk associated with maltreatment and the s/s genotype, such that maltreated children with this profile had only minimal increases in their depression scores. These findings are consistent with emerging preclinical and clinical data suggesting that the negative sequelae associated with early stress are not inevitable. Risk for negative outcomes may be modified by both genetic and environmental factors, with the quality and availability of social supports among the most important environmental factors in promoting resiliency in maltreated children, even in the presence of a genotype expected to confer vulnerability for psychiatric disorder.
Kaufman
Joan
J
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. joan.kaufman@yale.edu
Yang
Bao-Zhu
BZ
Douglas-Palumberi
Heather
H
Houshyar
Shadi
S
Lipschitz
Deborah
D
Krystal
John H
JH
Gelernter
Joel
J
D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins