TY - JOUR
T1 - For better and for worse
T2 - Genes and parenting interact to predict future behavior in romantic relationships
AU - Masarik, April S.
AU - Conger, Rand D.
AU - Brent Donnellan, M.
AU - Stallings, Michael C.
AU - Martin, Monica J.
AU - Schofield, Thomas J.
AU - Neppl, Tricia K.
AU - Scaramella, Laura V.
AU - Smolen, Andrew
AU - Widaman, Keith F.
PY - 2014/6
Y1 - 2014/6
N2 - We tested the differential susceptibility hypothesis with respect to connections between interactions in the family of origin and subsequent behaviors with romantic partners. Focal or target participants (G2) in an ongoing longitudinal study (N = 352) were observed interacting with their parents (G1) during adolescence and again with their romantic partners in adulthood. Independent observers rated positive engagement and hostility by G1 and G2 during structured interaction tasks. We created an index for hypothesized genetic plasticity by summing G2's allelic variation for polymorphisms in 5 genes (serotonin transporter gene [linked polymorphism], 5-HTT; ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 gene/dopamine receptor D2 gene, ANKK1/DRD2; dopamine receptor D4 gene, DRD4; dopamine active transporter gene, DAT; and catechol-O-methyltransferase gene, COMT). Consistent with the differential susceptibility hypothesis, G2s exposed to more hostile and positively engaged parenting behaviors during adolescence were more hostile or positively engaged toward a romantic partner if they had higher scores on the genetic plasticity index. In short, genetic factors moderated the connection between earlier experiences in the family of origin and future romantic relationship behaviors, for better and for worse.
AB - We tested the differential susceptibility hypothesis with respect to connections between interactions in the family of origin and subsequent behaviors with romantic partners. Focal or target participants (G2) in an ongoing longitudinal study (N = 352) were observed interacting with their parents (G1) during adolescence and again with their romantic partners in adulthood. Independent observers rated positive engagement and hostility by G1 and G2 during structured interaction tasks. We created an index for hypothesized genetic plasticity by summing G2's allelic variation for polymorphisms in 5 genes (serotonin transporter gene [linked polymorphism], 5-HTT; ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 gene/dopamine receptor D2 gene, ANKK1/DRD2; dopamine receptor D4 gene, DRD4; dopamine active transporter gene, DAT; and catechol-O-methyltransferase gene, COMT). Consistent with the differential susceptibility hypothesis, G2s exposed to more hostile and positively engaged parenting behaviors during adolescence were more hostile or positively engaged toward a romantic partner if they had higher scores on the genetic plasticity index. In short, genetic factors moderated the connection between earlier experiences in the family of origin and future romantic relationship behaviors, for better and for worse.
KW - Behavior
KW - Differential susceptibility
KW - Future behavior
KW - Gene by environment interaction (GxE)
KW - Parenting
KW - Romantic relationships
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84901782967&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1037/a0036818
DO - 10.1037/a0036818
M3 - Article
C2 - 24821524
AN - SCOPUS:84901782967
VL - 28
SP - 357
EP - 367
JO - Journal of Family Psychology
JF - Journal of Family Psychology
SN - 0893-3200
IS - 3
ER -