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The association between infants’ self‐regulatory behavior and MAOA gene polymorphism
Author(s) -
Zhang Minghao,
Chen Xinyin,
Way Niobe,
Yoshikawa Hirokazu,
Deng Huihua,
Ke Xiaoyan,
Yu Weiwei,
Chen Ping,
He Chuan,
Chi Xia,
Lu Zuhong
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
developmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.801
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1467-7687
pISSN - 1363-755X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2011.01047.x
Subject(s) - monoamine oxidase a , socioemotional selectivity theory , psychology , developmental psychology , genotype , polymorphism (computer science) , gene polymorphism , genetics , gene , biology , receptor , serotonin
Self‐regulatory behavior in early childhood is an important characteristic that has considerable implications for the development of adaptive and maladaptive functioning. The present study investigated the relations between a functional polymorphism in the upstream region of monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) and self‐regulatory behavior in a sample of Chinese infants at 6 months of age. Self‐regulation was assessed by observing infants’ behavior of orienting visual attention away from a threatening event in the laboratory situation. The results indicated that regulatory behavior was associated with the functional MAOA gene polymorphism in girls, but not boys. Girls with 4/4 genotypes displayed significantly higher regulation than girls with 3/3 and 3/4 genotypes. The present study provided evidence for gender differences on the role of MAOA gene polymorphism in socioemotional functioning in the early years.