Research Review: genetic vulnerability or differential susceptibility in child development: the case of attachment.
Gene-environment interactions interpreted in terms of differential susceptibility may play a large part in the explanation of individual differences in human development. Reviewing studies on the behavioral and molecular genetics of attachment, we present evidence for interactions between genetic and environmental factors explaining individual differences in attachment security and disorganization. In particular, the DRD4 7-repeat polymorphism seems associated with an increased risk for disorganized attachment, but only when combined with environmental risk. Gene-environment (G x E) interactions may be interpreted as genetic vulnerability or differential susceptibility. We found support for the differential susceptibility hypothesis predicting not only more negative outcomes for susceptible children in unfavorable environments, but also positive outcomes for susceptible children in favorable environments.
Bakermans-Kranenburg
Marian J
MJ
Centre for Child and Family Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. bakermans@fsw.leidennuniv.nl
van Ijzendoorn
Marinus H
MH
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005824:Genetics, Behavioral; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D019962:Reactive Attachment Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics; D012931:Social Environment
C493599:DRD4 protein, human; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4