TY - JOUR
T1 - Effect of the serotonin transporter gene and of environment on the continuity of anxiety and depression traits throughout adolescence
AU - Nobile, M.
AU - Greco, A.
AU - Perna, G.
AU - Colombo, P.
AU - Bianchi, V.
AU - Bellina, M.
AU - Giorda, R.
AU - Monzani, D.
AU - Carlet, O.
AU - Griez, E.
AU - Molteni, M.
PY - 2014/12
Y1 - 2014/12
N2 - Aims. Many studies of various stress reactive phenotypes suggest that 5-HTTLPR short allele carriers (S-carriers) are characterised by the stable trait of negative affectivity that is converted to psychopathology only under conditions of stress. In this study, we examined the moderating role of the 5-HTTLPR on the relationship between two objective chronic risk factors, i.e. socioeconomic status (SES) and family structure, and internalising symptoms across adolescence. Methods. A multigroup path analysis was employed in a general adolescent population sample of a 5-year follow-up study. Results. Internalising problems were significantly more stable in the S-carriers. The focus on the main dimensions of internalising problems, i.e. anxiety and depression, revealed two different developmental patterns. In the S-carriers Anxiety problems seemed to be more stable and to predict a possible evolution towards the development of Depressive problems. In the long allele homozygotes (LL-subjects) the anxiety trait was significantly less stable, and, in late-adolescence, seemed to be significantly predicted by SES, suggesting a possible gene-environment interaction (G x E). Family structure seemed to play a role in a G x E perspective only until early-adolescence, while during late-adolescence SES seemed to play a pivotal role in interaction with 5-HTTLPR, with the S-allele playing a protective role. Conclusions. Future models of the developmental link between environmental adversities and internalising behaviour therefore need to consider that the effect of G x E interaction, may be associated with internalising behaviour via different mechanisms during different time frames and that shifts in the strength of this effect should be expected across development.
AB - Aims. Many studies of various stress reactive phenotypes suggest that 5-HTTLPR short allele carriers (S-carriers) are characterised by the stable trait of negative affectivity that is converted to psychopathology only under conditions of stress. In this study, we examined the moderating role of the 5-HTTLPR on the relationship between two objective chronic risk factors, i.e. socioeconomic status (SES) and family structure, and internalising symptoms across adolescence. Methods. A multigroup path analysis was employed in a general adolescent population sample of a 5-year follow-up study. Results. Internalising problems were significantly more stable in the S-carriers. The focus on the main dimensions of internalising problems, i.e. anxiety and depression, revealed two different developmental patterns. In the S-carriers Anxiety problems seemed to be more stable and to predict a possible evolution towards the development of Depressive problems. In the long allele homozygotes (LL-subjects) the anxiety trait was significantly less stable, and, in late-adolescence, seemed to be significantly predicted by SES, suggesting a possible gene-environment interaction (G x E). Family structure seemed to play a role in a G x E perspective only until early-adolescence, while during late-adolescence SES seemed to play a pivotal role in interaction with 5-HTTLPR, with the S-allele playing a protective role. Conclusions. Future models of the developmental link between environmental adversities and internalising behaviour therefore need to consider that the effect of G x E interaction, may be associated with internalising behaviour via different mechanisms during different time frames and that shifts in the strength of this effect should be expected across development.
KW - Adolescence
KW - Child Behaviour Checklist
KW - environmental adversities
KW - internalising problems
KW - serotonin transporter
U2 - 10.1017/S2045796013000565
DO - 10.1017/S2045796013000565
M3 - Article
C2 - 24148106
SN - 2045-7960
VL - 23
SP - 399
EP - 409
JO - Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences
JF - Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences
IS - 4
ER -