title: For better and for worse: genes and parenting interact to predict future behavior in romantic relationships.
abstract: We tested the differential susceptibility hypothesis with respect to connections between interactions in the family of origin and subsequent behaviors with romantic partners. Focal or target participants (G2) in an ongoing longitudinal study (N = 352) were observed interacting with their parents (G1) during adolescence and again with their romantic partners in adulthood. Independent observers rated positive engagement and hostility by G1 and G2 during structured interaction tasks. We created an index for hypothesized genetic plasticity by summing G2's allelic variation for polymorphisms in 5 genes (serotonin transporter gene [linked polymorphism], 5-HTT; ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 gene/dopamine receptor D2 gene, ANKK1/DRD2; dopamine receptor D4 gene, DRD4; dopamine active transporter gene, DAT; and catechol-O-methyltransferase gene, COMT). Consistent with the differential susceptibility hypothesis, G2s exposed to more hostile and positively engaged parenting behaviors during adolescence were more hostile or positively engaged toward a romantic partner if they had higher scores on the genetic plasticity index. In short, genetic factors moderated the connection between earlier experiences in the family of origin and future romantic relationship behaviors, for better and for worse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Ecology, University of California.
authors.forename: April S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Masarik
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Ecology, University of California.
authors.forename: Rand D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Conger
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Michigan State University.
authors.forename: M Brent
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Donnellan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Colorado.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Stallings
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Ecology, University of California.
authors.forename: Monica J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Schofield
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University.
authors.forename: Tricia K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Neppl
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans.
authors.forename: Laura V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Scaramella
authors.affiliation: Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smolen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California.
authors.forename: Keith F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Widaman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: C581293:DRD2 protein, human; C493599:DRD4 protein, human; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase