Genetic and gene-environment interaction effects on preschoolers' social behaviors.
This study examined effects from a specific dopamine receptor gene (DRD4), environmental influences from parents and peers, and the interaction between them, on aggressive and prosocial behaviors of preschoolers. Children were classified as DRD4-L (n = 27) if they had at least one DRD4 allele with six to eight repeats and as DRD4-S (n = 35) if not. Parent-child interactions were coded when children were 3-4 years old. Peer interaction data and parent questionnaires were collected at age 5. DRD4-L children shared less with each other and parents were less sensitive during parent-twin triadic interactions. Also, genotype interacted with peer aggression to affect children's aggression during a peer play interaction at age 5, and genotype interacted with prior parental sensitivity to affect later externalizing problems. Thus, children having a certain genetic disposition may be more sensitive to certain environmental stimuli and therefore more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors under more stressful circumstances.
DiLalla
Lisabeth Fisher
LF
Family & Community Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA. ldilalla@siu.edu
Elam
Kit K
KK
Smolen
Andrew
A
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents; D010379:Peer Group; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires