title: Socioeconomic status mediates the genetic contribution of the dopamine receptor D4 and serotonin transporter linked promoter region repeat polymorphisms to externalization in preadolescence.
abstract: The impact of socioeconomic status (SES) and genetic polymorphisms on individual differences for externalized behaviors have often been investigated separately in studies of children and adults. In a general population sample of 607 Italian preadolescents, we examined the independent and joint effects of SES and the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) and serotonin transporter linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphisms upon rule-breaking and aggressive behaviors measured with the Child Behavior CheckList/6-18. We found evidence, which was based on both one locus and two-loci genotype analyses, that low SES and DRD4 long and 5-HTTLPR long alleles, both alone and in interaction, are associated with higher aggressive behavior scores. The effects were similar but more modest and limited to one locus genotype analyses for rule-breaking behavior. Consistent with studies that showed the effects of societal moderators on the heritability of externalized behaviors across different segments of the population, we suggest that diminished social constraints associated with low parental SES may act as enhancers of the genetic influence of specific DRD4 and 5-HTTLPR alleles over aggressive behaviors in preadolescence.
authors.affiliation: Child Psychiatry Department, Eugenio Medea Scientific Institute, via Don Luigi Monza 20, Bosisio Parini 23842 (LC), Italy. mnobile@bp.lnf.it
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nobile
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giorda
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Ombretta
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carlet
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanzin
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellina
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molteni
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battaglia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D000483:Alleles; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D007206:Individuality; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007558:Italy; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012951:Socialization; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4