Premium
Research Review: Genetic vulnerability or differential susceptibility in child development: the case of attachment
Author(s) -
BakermansKranenburg Marian J.,
Van IJzendoorn Marinus H.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01801.x
Subject(s) - vulnerability (computing) , psychology , developmental psychology , genetic predisposition , gene–environment interaction , behavioural genetics , differential effects , differential (mechanical device) , gene , genetics , biology , genotype , computer security , aerospace engineering , computer science , engineering , endocrinology
Gene–environment interactions interpreted in terms of differential susceptibility may play a large part in the explanation of individual differences in human development. Reviewing studies on the behavioral and molecular genetics of attachment, we present evidence for interactions between genetic and environmental factors explaining individual differences in attachment security and disorganization. In particular, the DRD4 7‐repeat polymorphism seems associated with an increased risk for disorganized attachment, but only when combined with environmental risk. Gene–environment (G × E) interactions may be interpreted as genetic vulnerability or differential susceptibility. We found support for the differential susceptibility hypothesis predicting not only more negative outcomes for susceptible children in unfavorable environments, but also positive outcomes for susceptible children in favorable environments.