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Association of adverse childhood experiences, age of menarche, and adult reproductive behavior: Does the androgen receptor gene play a role?
Author(s) -
Jorm Anthony F.,
Christensen Helen,
Rodgers Bryan,
Jacomb Patricia A.,
Easteal Simon
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part b: neuropsychiatric genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.393
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1552-485X
pISSN - 1552-4841
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.b.20114
Subject(s) - menarche , androgen receptor , abandonment (legal) , androgen , endocrinology , adverse effect , young adult , psychology , demography , medicine , developmental psychology , hormone , prostate cancer , cancer , sociology , political science , law
Previous research has reported associations between adverse childhood experiences, early menarche, and early sexual activity. One hypothesis to account for these findings is that an X‐linked androgen receptor GGC‐repeat polymorphism predisposes fathers to behaviors which include family abandonment and their daughters to earlier menarche and sexual activity and less stable relationships. Retrospective data relevant to this theory were examined from a community survey involving 3,702 women in the age groups 20–24, 40–44, and 60–64 years, and another involving 908 women aged 18–79 years. Earlier age of menarche was found to be associated with adverse childhood experiences and earlier sexual activity. However, the androgen receptor gene polymorphism was unrelated to adverse fathering behavior or to marital breakdown. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.