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FRIMEDBIO-Fri prosj.st. med.,helse,biol

Gene-environment interactions in childrens social competence: Differential susceptibly or differential vulnerability?

Awarded: NOK 8.6 mill.

Starting in 2002 a series of findings has demonstrated that some individuals, also children, who share common polymorphisms, primarily related to the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems face greater risk of developing psychopathology when exposed to neg ative environments (e.g. negative life events or childhood abuse) than those with other combinations, i.e. a gene-environment interaction (GXE). These findings have been interpreted as supportive of a vulnerability view of human development. We propose th at these findings instead could be interpreted as supportive of a differential susceptibility hypothesis, which states the alleged polymorphisms do not merely increase the risk for poor adjustment in face of risk, but they also lead to better adaptation i n favorable circumstances. These polymorphisms may thus rather convey plasticity than vulnerability. This possibility has not been studied before because research has only addressed negative outcomes, i.e. psychopathology. We will extend the current GXE r esearch by addressing the probability of positive outcomes (social competence) in the face of positive environment (nutruant parenting).Two full birth cohorts meeting at the regular health check-up for 4-year olds in the city of Trondheim are screened wit h the SDQ (N=3,800). The attendance rate at the well-child clinic is 97%. 1,000 families are recruited to a more intensive study, and the consent rate is 83%. Parent and child meet at the lab for observation of parent-child interaction (coded according t o parental sensitivity and parental disciplining/limit setting) and recordings of social competence, emotion regulation, emotion comprehension, executive functioning, and theory of mind. Data are supplemented with information from day care personnel/teach ers. Retesting will take place after 2 and 4 years.

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FRIMEDBIO-Fri prosj.st. med.,helse,biol

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