Analysis of Behavioral and Emotional Problems in Children Highlights the Role of Genotype × Environment Interaction.
This study tested for Genotype × Environment (G × E) interaction on behavioral and emotional problems in children using new methods that do not require identification of candidate genes or environments, can distinguish between interaction with shared and unique environment, and are insensitive to scale effects. Parental ratings of problem behavior from 14,755 twin pairs (5.3 years, SD = 0.22) indicated G × E interaction on emotional liability, social isolation, aggression, attention problems, dependency, anxiety, and physical coordination. Environmental influences increased in children who were genetically more predisposed to problem behavior, with ~20% of the variance due to G × E interaction (8% for anxiety to 37% for attention problems). Ignoring G × E interaction does not greatly bias heritability estimates, but it does offer a comprehensive model of the etiology for childhood problems.
University of Amsterdam.
Dylan
D
Molenaar
VU University Amsterdam.|Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam (NCA).
Christel
C
Middeldorp
VU University Amsterdam.
Toos
T
van Beijsterveldt
VU University Amsterdam.|Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam (NCA).|VU University Medical Center.
Dorret I
DI
Boomsma
D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000066553:Problem Behavior