Genetic moderation of contextual effects on negative arousal and parenting in African-American parents.

Abstract

A three-stage context amplification model was tested with a sample of 345 African American parent-child dyads. The model combined the conceptual structure of stress generation with recent findings regarding genetic susceptibility. Because the 7R+ allele of the dopamine transporter (DRD4) has the potential to enhance contextual priming and arousal, this allele was examined as a potential moderator of each stage of the amplification process. Particular attention was given to the hypothesized influence of parental negative arousal on valence of parent-child interactions. The literature on genetic susceptibility led to the hypothesis that DRD4 would moderate each stage of the model in a “for better or for worse” manner. The model was partially supported. DRD4 moderated effects at all three stages of the model and, as hypothesized, DRD4 moderated contextual effects on negative arousal in a “for better or for worse” manner. Effects on parent-child interaction, however, were moderated in a “for worse” manner only. These results indicate that parenting interactions may amplify the effects of positive and negative contexts in a stress-generating manner, and that a susceptibility framework captures the way in which DRD4 moderates the impact of context on negative arousal.

Stress, relationship satisfaction, and health among African American women: Genetic moderation of effects.

“…Whereas the genetic vulnerability perspective paints individuals with the s allele as difficult to change for the better given their genetic tendency to be hyper-responsive to adversity, the genetic susceptibility perspective argues that carriers of the susceptibility allele are particularly good candidates for intervention and are more likely than others to learn the lessons being taught by a new, more favorable environment. Several recent studies have reported evidence indicating that the serotonin transporter gene interacts with the environment in the manner predicted by the differential susceptibility approach (Beach et al, 2012; Belsky & Pleuss, 2009). …”

Parent and youth dopamine D4 receptor genotypes moderate multilevel contextual effects on rural African American youth's risk behavior

“…Interactions between specific polymorphisms and family environments have been detected for youth substance use (Brody et al, 2009; Brody et al, 2014), sexual risk behavior (Guo, Tong, & Cai, 2008), and delinquent behavior (Caspi et al, 2002; Simons et al, 2011; Simons et al, 2012). A more modest literature suggests that genetic status may interact with aspects of parents’ proximal environments to affect their parenting behavior (Beach et al, 2012; van IJzendoorn, Bakermans-Kranenburg, & Mesman, 2008). …”

“…The 2, 3, 4, and 7 repeat versions account for about 98% of allelic variability (Lichter et al, 1993). Studies characterize DRD4 alleles as either “short” ( s ) or “long” ( l ), with the s category defined as having 6 or fewer repeats and the l category as having 7 or more repeats (Beach et al, 2012; Brody et al, 2012; Eisenberg et al, 2007; Laucht, Becker, Blomeyer, & Schmidt, 2007; McGeary, 2009). DRD4 - l alleles appear to function in a way that yields a protein structure that produces less reactive D4 receptors in both in vitro and in vivo tests of responsiveness, resulting in weaker transmission of intracellular signals for those with at least one l allele versus two s alleles (Levitan et al, 2006; Asghari et al, 1995).…”

The effect of neighborhood disadvantage, social ties, and genetic variation on the antisocial behavior of African American women: A multilevel analysis

“…Finally, using the recessive model, individuals receive a score of 1 if they are homozygous for the minor allele and otherwise receive a score of 0. Consistent with prior research (Beach et al, 2012; Belsky & Beaver, 2011; Simons et al, 2011; Simons, Lei, et al, 2012; van IJzendoorn, Belsky, & Bakermans-Kranenburg, 2012), the current study used the dominant model. 2 We treated both 5-HTTLPR and DRD4 as dichotomous variables where individuals received a score of 1 if they were carrying at least one copy of the minor allele and a score of 0 if they were homozygous for the major allele.…”

“…Using the simple slope procedure, the slopes for respondents with either one, b = −0.368, 95% CI (−0.609, −0.127), p = .003, or two, b = −0.172, 95% CI = (−0.306, −0.038), p = .012, of the differentiating genotypes are significantly different from zero, whereas the slope for noncarriers is not, b = 0.024, 95% CI = (−0.182, 0.231), p = .817. 4 In other words, the effect of neighborhood social ties on antisocial behavior is significantly greater for women with more differentiating genotypes than for those who do not have these genotypes.…”