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No gene by stressful life events interaction on individual differences in adults' self-control.
- Source :
- Frontiers in Psychiatry; 2024, p1-7, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background: Difficulty with self-control, or the ability to alter impulses and behavior in a goal-directed way, predicts interpersonal conflict, lower socioeconomic attainments, and more adverse health outcomes. Etiological understanding, and intervention for low self-control is, therefore, a public health goal. A prominent developmental theory proposes that individuals with high genetic propensity for low self-control that are also exposed to stressful environments may be most at-risk of low levels of self-control. Here we examine if polygenic measures associated with behaviors marked by low self-control interact with stressful life events in predicting self-control. Methods: Leveraging molecular data from a large population-based Dutch sample (N = 7,090, Mage = 41.2) to test for effects of genetics (i.e., polygenic scores for ADHD and aggression), stressful life events (e.g., traffic accident, violent assault, financial problems), and a gene-by-stress interaction on selfcontrol (measured with the ASEBA Self-Control Scale). Results: Both genetics (b =.03 -.04, p <.001) and stressful life events (b = .11 -.14, p <.001) were associated with individual differences in self-control. We find no evidence of a gene-by-stressful life events interaction on individual differences in adults' self-control. Conclusion: Our findings are consistent with the notion that genetic influences and stressful life events exert largely independent effects on adult self-control. However, the small effect sizes of polygenic scores increases the likelihood of null results. Genetically-informed longitudinal research in large samples can further inform the etiology of individual differences in self-control from early childhood into later adulthood and its downstream implications for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 16640640
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Frontiers in Psychiatry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 177266893
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1388264