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The association between 5‐HTTLPR gene polymorphism and behavioral inhibition in Chinese toddlers
Author(s) -
Chen Xinyin,
Zhang Guangzhen,
Liang Zongbao,
Zhang Minghao,
Way Niobe,
Yoshikawa Hirokazu,
Ke Xiaoyan,
Lu Zuhong,
Deng Huihua
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.21253
Subject(s) - 5 httlpr , psychology , association (psychology) , polymorphism (computer science) , ethnic group , developmental psychology , allele , behavioral inhibition , clinical psychology , demography , genetics , gene , psychiatry , biology , anthropology , psychotherapist , anxiety , sociology
As one of the fundamental individual characteristics, behavioral inhibition in early childhood has considerable implications for the development of social, cognitive, and psychological adjustment. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism and behavioral inhibition in Chinese children using a cross‐sectional design. A sample of 263 2‐year‐old children (134 boys and 129 girls of Han ethnicity; ages ranging from 24 to 26 months) in China participated in the study. Behavioral inhibition was assessed through laboratory observations, and genomic DNA was collected with buccal swabs. The results of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that the homozygous short 5‐HTTLPR allele was associated with lower levels of behavioral inhibition, which was different from most of the findings based on individuals in Western countries. The results suggest that social and cultural factors may be involved in shaping links between the 5‐HTTLPR polymorphism and children's specific behaviors. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc . Dev Psychobiol 56: 1601–1608, 2014.