Gene–environment interplay between parent–child relationship problems and externalizing disorders in adolescence and young adulthood

Abstract

Background Previous studies have shown that genetic risk for externalizing (EXT) disorders is greater in the context of adverse family environments during adolescence, but it is unclear whether these effects are long-lasting. The current study evaluated developmental changes in gene-environment interplay in the concurrent and prospective associations between parent-child relationship problems and EXT at ages 18 and 25. Method The sample included 1,382 twin pairs (48% male) from the Minnesota Twin Family Study, participating in assessments at ages 18 (M = 17.8 years, SD = 0.69) and 25 (M = 25.0 years, SD = 0.90). Perceptions of parent-child relationship problems were assessed using questionnaires. Structured interviews were used to assess symptoms of adult antisocial behavior and nicotine, alcohol, and illicit drug dependence. Results We detected a gene-environment interaction at age 18, such that the genetic influence on EXT was greater in the context of more parent-child relationship problems. This moderation effect was not present at age 25, nor did parent-relationship problems at age 18 moderate genetic influence on EXT at age 25. Rather, common genetic influences accounted for this longitudinal association. Conclusions Gene-environment interaction evident in the relationship between adolescent parent-child relationship problems and EXT is both proximal and developmentally limited. Common genetic influence, rather than a gene-environment interaction, accounts for the long-term association between parent-child relationship problems at age 18 and EXT at age 25. These results are consistent with a relatively pervasive importance of gene-environmental correlation in the transition from late adolescence to young adulthood.

Antisocial peer affiliation and externalizing disorders: Evidence for Gene × Environment × Development interaction

“…Failure to detect a gene × environment interaction between antisocial peer affiliation and adult externalizing disorders, combined with similar findings for parenting and academic achievement (Johnson et al, 2009; Samek et al, 2015), would suggest that adolescence may be a critical period wherein greater autonomy and exposure into high-risk environments provides a catalyst for previously unexpressed genetic risk. Once initiated, however, selection or active gene-environment correlation processes may maintain the association between externalizing disorders and contextual risk in adulthood.…”

“…For example, follow-up analyses using the same sample as Hicks et al found that poor parent-child relationship quality (Samek, Hicks, Keyes, Iacono, & McGue, 2015) and low academic achievement (Johnson, McGue, & Iacono, 2009) did not moderate genetic risk for externalizing disorders at age 24. Instead, gene-environment correlation explained much of the concurrent and long-term associations between parent-child relationship quality and young adult externalizing disorders (Samek et al, 2015), and shared environmental influences explained much of the association between higher educational attainment and young adult's antisocial behavior symptoms (Johnson et al, 2009). Thus, other confounding family factors (genetic and environmental) explain much of the long-term association between these adolescent environmental contexts and adult outcomes rather than gene × environment interaction processes.…”

“…Further, we tested whether adolescent antisocial peer affiliation had moderating effects on genetic influences on adult externalizing disorders. Given prior research (Johnson et al, 2009; Monahan et al, 2009; Samek et al, 2015), as well as our theory that adolescence may be a developmentally-limited critical period wherein high-risk environments provide a catalyst for previously unexpressed genetic risk, we predicted that antisocial peer affiliation would moderate additive genetic influences on externalizing disorders in adolescence. We also expected that adolescent antisocial peer affiliation would not moderate additive genetic influences on adult externalizing disorders.…”

A Test-Replicate Approach to Candidate Gene Research on Addiction and Externalizing Disorders: A Collaboration Across Five Longitudinal Studies

“…This model is based on recent work both in the Minnesota lab and others (Johnson et al 2009; Kendler et al 2011; Samek et al 2015; Samek et al 2016). This model is simple extension of Bailey et al’s (2011) original model in that it proposes an analysis of gene-environment correlation and interaction involving adolescent environmental contexts in relation to adolescent externalizing problems as well as young adult externalizing problems.…”

The Relation Between Evolutionary Life Strategy, Temperament and Character in Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder

“…Addicted individuals are often different from normal people in personality traits, such as behavioral disinhibition, impulsivity, pessimism, and neuroticism (4). Other studies have also shown a relationship between substance use, conduct disorder, and anti-social behaviors (5,6).…”