The association between 5‐HTTLPR gene polymorphism and behavioral inhibition in Chinese toddlers

Abstract

As one of the fundamental individual characteristics, behavioral inhibition in early childhood has considerable implications for the development of social, cognitive, and psychological adjustment. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and behavioral inhibition in Chinese children using a cross-sectional design. A sample of 263 2-year-old children (134 boys and 129 girls of Han ethnicity; ages ranging from 24 to 26 months) in China participated in the study. Behavioral inhibition was assessed through laboratory observations, and genomic DNA was collected with buccal swabs. The results of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that the homozygous short 5-HTTLPR allele was associated with lower levels of behavioral inhibition, which was different from most of the findings based on individuals in Western countries. The results suggest that social and cultural factors may be involved in shaping links between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and children's specific behaviors.

The genetics of anxiety‐related negative valence system traits

“…A SNP in an autism risk gene, CNTNAP2 , was reported in association with social anxiety and retrospectively reported BI in adults and selective mutism in children [Stein et al, ]. Association of the serotonin transporter gene 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism with BI was reported in a small sample of Chinese toddlers [Chen et al, ], while larger studies in US children [Rubin et al, ], Brazilian adolescents [Bortoluzzi et al, ], and Australian adults [Jorm et al, ] failed to detect an association. The Rubin et al study, conducted in 394 US children, tested association of 20 polymorphisms in 15 catecholaminergic candidate genes with Withdrawn Behavior Subscale Score (WBS) of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), which combines items indicating inhibition or depression.…”

The serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism moderates the continuity of behavioral inhibition in early childhood

“…Although studies have examined the influence of 5-HTTLPR on internalizing disorders and temperament in both children and adults (e.g., Burkhouse et al, 2011; Chen et al, 2014; Fox, Henderson, et al, 2005; Liu et al, 2013; Miu, Vulturar, Chiş, Ungureanu, & Gross, 2013; Verhagen et al, 2009), no research has specifically considered the impact of 5-HTTLPR genotype on the continuity of BI. This deficit in the literature is surprising given the emerging support for the role of the short allele in differential susceptibility (e.g., Belsky & Pluess, 2012, 2013; Dalton et al, 2014; Li et al, 2013; Pluess et al, 2010), which indicates that individuals with at least one copy of the short allele have increased receptivity to both positive and negative influences (e.g., Belsky & Pluess, 2009; Dalton et al, 2014; Ford et al, 2014).…”

Cultural neuroscience of emotion: Toward a developmental framework.

“…As with many emotional processes, significant cross-cultural differences exist for behavioral tests of shyness, aggression, and interpersonal emotions. Many studies (e.g., Chen et al, 2014; Garcia-Coll, Kagan, & Reznick, 1984; Kagan, Reznick, & Snidman, 1988; Schmidt & Buss, 2010; Xu et al, 2009) have also examined biological correlates of these and many other emotional processes. However, such studies are predominately from Western sources, and thus do not provide cross-cultural insight.…”

“…Extensive research from Western populations is available exploring biological correlates of shyness (see, e.g., Kagan, Reznick, & Snidman, 1988; Schmidt & Buss, 2010), although relatively few biological cross-cultural comparative studies exist. For example, recent research from China (Chen et al, 2014; Xu et al, 2009) has investigated the biological correlates of shyness, such as heart period (HP) and genetic markers, which may be compared to similar data collected from Western studies. See Table 1 for a summary of relevant cross-cultural comparative studies of shyness from the West and East and major differences…”

“…Comparative studies have been conducted worldwide, particularly in China (e.g., Chen, 2010; Chen, DeSouza, Chen, & Wang, 2006; Prado et al, 2014), Japan (e.g., Matsumoto et al, 2002), India (e.g., Holder, Coleman, & Singh, 2012), and the West (e.g., Furmark et al, 2004; Munafo et al, 2003; Rubin et al, 2006). Much of the information available pertains to cross-cultural differences on aggression (Chen, Huang, Chang, Wang, & Li, 2010; Zajenkowska et al, 2014), behavioral inhibition (Chen, Wang, & Cao, 2011; Chen et al, 2014; Lee, Okazaki, & Yoo, 2006; Paulhus, Duncan, & Yik, 2002), and other emotional processes (e.g., Breugelmans, & Poortinga, 2006; Chung & Bemak, 2002; Diener & Lucas, 2000; Holder, Coleman, & Singh, 2012). This research has contributed to a widespread understanding that culture-specific rules for emotional expression and regulation exist across the globe.…”