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The Dark Side of Friends: A Genetically Informed Study of Victimization Within Early Adolescents’ Friendships.
- Source :
-
Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology . May/Jun2015, Vol. 44 Issue 3, p417-431. 15p. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Using a genetically informed twin design, this study examined (a) whether, in line with gene–environment correlation (rGE), a genetic disposition for anxiety puts children at risk of being victimized by a close friend or by other peers, and (b) whether, in line with gene–environment interaction (GxE), victimization by a close friend or by other peers moderates the expression of a genetic disposition for anxiety. Participants were 268 monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs (MZ males = 71, MZ females = 80, DZ males = 56, DZ females = 61; 87% of European descent) assessed via questionnaires in Grade 8 (Mage = 14.06 years,SD = 3.60). Participants reported about their victimization by a close friend and by other peers and their anxiety level. Victimization by a close friend and victimization by other peers were uncorrelated. In line with rGE, genetic factors related to anxiety predicted victimization by other peers, whereas victimization by a close friend was not predicted by heritable characteristics. Moreover, in line with a suppression process of GxE, victimization by other peers reduced the role of genetic factors in explaining interindividual differences in anxiety. In contrast, in line with a diathesis-stress process of GxE, victimization by a close friend fostered the expression of a genetic disposition for anxiety. Victimization by a close friend seems to happen to adolescents regardless of their personal, heritable characteristics. If it does occur, however, it is a source of distress mostly for youth with a genetic vulnerability for anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15374416
- Volume :
- 44
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 101869651
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2013.873984