Open AccessThe Associations of Polygenic Scores for Risky Behaviors and Parenting Behaviors with Adolescent Externalizing Problems
Author(s) -
Albert J. Ksinan,
Rebecca L. Smith,
Peter B. Barr,
Alexander T. Vazsonyi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
behavior genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.865
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1573-3297
pISSN - 0001-8244
DOI - 10.1007/s10519-021-10079-3
Subject(s) - closeness , psychology , developmental psychology , operationalization , health psychology , longitudinal study , young adult , clinical psychology , public health , medicine , mathematical analysis , philosophy , mathematics , nursing , epistemology , pathology
The current study focused on longitudinal effects of genetics and parental behaviors and their interplay on externalizing behaviors in a panel study following individuals from adolescence to young adulthood. The nationally representative sample of Add Health participants of European ancestry included N = 4142 individuals, measured on three occasions. Parenting was operationalized as experiences with child maltreatment and maternal closeness. Externalizing problems were operationalized as alcohol use, cannabis use, and antisocial behaviors. Genetic effects were operationalized as a polygenic score (PGS) of risky behaviors. The results showed significant effects for child maltreatment, maternal closeness, and PGS, above and beyond other factors and previous levels of externalizing behaviors. Furthermore, maternal closeness was found to negatively correlate with PGS. No significant interaction effects of parenting and PGS were found. The results underscore the joint independent effects of parenting and genetics on the change in externalizing behaviors from adolescence to young adulthood.