Electrodermal reactivity during the Trier Social Stress Test for children: interaction between the serotonin transporter polymorphism and children's attachment representation.
This study explores the relation between variations in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR; long vs. short allele), the child's attachment representation (assessed with the Attachment Story Completion Task, reflecting the security of the parent-child relationship), and electrodermal reactivity during a public speaking task, the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C) in a sample of 92 7-year-old. Electrodermal reactivity during the TSST-C was not directly associated with variations in 5-HTT. However, there was a significant gene-environment interaction effect of 5-HTT and attachment security on electrodermal reactivity. Results are interpreted in terms of cumulative protection: Children with a secure attachment representation as well as long 5-HTT alleles appeared to be less stressed during the TSST-C.
Gilissen
Renske
R
Centre for Child & Family Studies, Leiden University, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, the Netherlands.
Bakermans-Kranenburg
Marian J
MJ
van Ijzendoorn
Marinus H
MH
Linting
Mariëlle
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000483:Alleles; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009426:Netherlands; D009769:Object Attachment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012919:Social Behavior; D013060:Speech; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins