Genetic and early environmental predictors of adulthood self-reports of trauma

Abstract

Background Retrospective self-reports of childhood trauma are associated with a greater risk of psychopathology in adulthood than prospective measures of trauma. Heritable reporter characteristics are anticipated to account for part of this association, whereby genetic predisposition to certain traits influences both the likelihood of self-reporting trauma and of developing psychopathology. However, previous research has not considered how gene–environment correlation influences these associations. Aims To investigate reporter characteristics associated with retrospective self-reports of childhood trauma and whether these associations are accounted for by gene–environment correlation. Method In 3963 unrelated individuals from the Twins Early Development Study, we tested whether polygenic scores for 21 psychiatric, cognitive, anthropometric and personality traits were associated with retrospectively self-reported childhood emotional and physical abuse. To assess the presence of gene–environment correlation, we investigated whether these associations remained after controlling for composite scores of environmental adversity across development. Results Retrospectively self-reported childhood trauma was associated with polygenic scores for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), body mass index (BMI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and risky behaviours. When composite scores of environmental adversity were controlled for, only associations with the polygenic scores for ASD and PTSD remained significant. Conclusions Genetic predisposition to ASD and PTSD may increase liability to experiencing or interpreting events as traumatic. Associations between genetic predisposition for risky behaviour and BMI with self-reported childhood trauma may reflect gene–environment correlation. Studies of the association between retrospectively self-reported childhood trauma and later-life outcomes should consider that genetically influenced reporter characteristics may confound associations, both directly and through gene–environment correlation.

A genetically informed Registered Report on adverse childhood experiences and mental health

“…This gene-environment correlation was small but robust (replicating across cohorts) and negative control polygenic scores were not associated with ACEs. This supports our hypothesis and other (largely non-pre-registered) research showing that polygenic scores for mental health problems are associated with greater risk of exposure to childhood adversities [21][22][23][24][25]37,38 .…”

“…First, it is possible that observed associations might be inflated by reporting bias, as parents with genetic liability to psychopathology might be more likely to perceive ACEs 54 and child psychopathology, as well as transmit genetic liability to their children. Future studies using different informants to measure ACEs and psychopathology (e.g., from objective records to more subjective self-reports) are needed to map the impact of reporting biases on observed gene-environment correlations 38,55 and estimates of genetic confounding. Second, ALSPAC and the ABCD Study differed in various ways, such as the country of origin (UK vs USA), historical context (born in 1991-1992 vs 2006-2008), and prevalence of ACEs (e.g., higher rates of maltreatment and parental criminality in ALSPAC, perhaps due to repeated assessments [vs a single assessment in ABCD]).…”

A multivariate genetic analysis of anxiety sensitivity, environmental sensitivity and reported life events in adolescents

“…Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of the genetic influences on life events were independent of these sensitivity measures. Other efforts to elucidate the heritable component of environmental experiences indicate that some of these remaining influences are likely to be captured by genetic influences on psychopathology and other related constructs, such as personality factors and cognitive biases, which may influence either exposure to or the subjective experience of environmental events (Peel et al., 2022 ). This knowledge contributes to understanding of what is captured by the heritable component of measures of environmental experiences, and the potential ways in which these experiences may act as risk factors for poor outcomes.…”

A multivariate genetic analysis of environmental sensitivity, anxiety sensitivity and reported life events in adolescents

“…Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of the genetic influences on life events were independent of these sensitivity measures. Other efforts to elucidate the heritable component of environmental experiences indicate that some of these remaining influences are likely to be accounted for by genetic influences on psychopathology and other related constructs, such as personality factors and cognitive biases, which may influence either exposure to or the subjective experience of environmental events (ter Kuile et al, 2022; Peel et al, 2022). Together, this knowledge contributes to understanding of what is captured by the heritable component of measures of environmental experiences, and the potential ways in which these experiences may be associated with risk for poor outcomes.…”