Caregiving and 5-HTTLPR Genotype Predict Adolescent Physiological Stress Reactivity: Confirmatory Tests of Gene × Environment Interactions.
A theory-driven confirmatory approach comparing diathesis-stress and differential susceptibility models of Gene × Environment (G × E) interactions was applied to examine whether 5-HTTLPR genotype moderated the effect of early maternal caregiving on autonomic nervous system (ANS) stress reactivity in 113 adolescents aged 13-17 years. Findings supported a differential susceptibility, rather than diathesis-stress, framework. Carriers of one or more 5-HTTLPR short alleles (SS/SL carriers) reporting higher quality caregiving exhibited approach ANS responses to a speech task, whereas those reporting lower quality caregiving exhibited withdrawal ANS responses. Carriers of two 5-HTTLPR long alleles (LL carriers) were unaffected by caregiving. Findings suggest that 5-HTTLPR genotype and early caregiving in interaction are associated with ANS stress reactivity in adolescents in a "for better and for worse" fashion, and they demonstrate the promise of confirmatory methods for testing G × E interactions.
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
Jennifer A
JA
Sumner
University of Washington.
Katie A
KA
McLaughlin
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
Kate
K
Walsh
Harvard Medical School.
Margaret A
MA
Sheridan
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
Karestan C
KC
Koenen