title: The interaction between the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) variable number tandem repeat polymorphism and perceived peer drinking norms in adolescent alcohol use and misuse.
abstract: Peer drinking norms are arguably one of the strongest correlates of adolescent drinking. Prospective studies indicate that adolescents tend to select peers based on drinking (peer selection) and their peers' drinking is associated with changes in adolescent drinking over time (peer socialization). The present study investigated whether the peer selection and socialization processes in adolescent drinking differed as a function of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) variable number tandem repeat genotype in two independent prospective data sets. The first sample was 174 high school students drawn from a two-wave 6-month prospective study. The second sample was 237 college students drawn from a three-wave annual prospective study. Multigroup cross-lagged panel analyses of the high school student sample indicated stronger socialization via peer drinking norms among carriers, whereas analyses of the college student sample indicated stronger drinking-based peer selection in the junior year among carriers, compared to noncarriers. Although replication and meta-analytic synthesis are needed, these findings suggest that in part genetically determined peer selection (carriers of the DRD4 seven-repeat allele tend to associate with peers who have more favorable attitudes toward drinking and greater alcohol use) and peer socialization (carriers' subsequent drinking behaviors are more strongly associated with their peer drinking norms) may differ across adolescent developmental stages.
authors.affiliation: Syracuse University.
authors.forename: Aesoon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Syracuse University.
authors.forename: Jueun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Syracuse University.
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zaso
authors.affiliation: SUNY Upstate Medical University.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Glatt
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri.
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Sher
authors.affiliation: Miriam Hospital.
authors.forename: Lori A J
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Scott-Sheldon
authors.affiliation: Syracuse University.
authors.forename: Tanya L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Eckert
authors.affiliation: Syracuse University.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Vanable
authors.affiliation: Brown University.
authors.forename: Kate B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.affiliation: Syracuse University.
authors.forename: Craig K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Ewart
authors.affiliation: Miriam Hospital.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000067292:Alcohol Drinking in College / Q000523:psychology*; D000483:Alleles; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats; D010379:Peer Group; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics*; D066262:Social Norms; D012951:Socialization; D013334:Students; D000066608:Underage Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C493599:DRD4 protein, human; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4