Evidence of a gene x environment interaction in the creation of victimization: results from a longitudinal sample of adolescents.
A large body of research has revealed that aggressive personality traits and violent criminal behaviors are influenced by genetic factors. Surprisingly, however, no research has been devoted to investigating the potential genetic origins to adolescent victimization. In the current study, the authors address this gap in the literature by using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine whether different variants of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) are related to victimization, net of the effects of environmental measures. The results of the multivariate models revealed a significant gene X environment interaction in the creation of victimization for White males. Specifically, DRD2 interacted with delinquent peers to predict victimization. The authors discuss the implications of these findings.
Beaver
Kevin M
KM
Florida State University, Tallahassee FL 32306-1127, USA. kbeaver@mailer.fsu.edu
Wright
John Paul
JP
Delisi
Matt
M
Daigle
Leah E
LE
Swatt
Marc L
ML
Gibson
Chris L
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009769:Object Attachment; D010379:Peer Group; D010551:Personality / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011610:Psychosocial Deprivation; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D014481:United States; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology
D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2