Open AccessArginine vasopressin 1a receptor gene and maternal behavior: evidence of association and moderation
Author(s) -
Bisceglia R.,
Jenkins J. M.,
Wigg K. G.,
O’Connor T. G.,
Moran G.,
Barr C. L.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
genes, brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.315
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1601-183X
pISSN - 1601-1848
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2012.00769.x
Subject(s) - moderation , maternal sensitivity , sibling , association (psychology) , vasopressin , psychology , allele , developmental psychology , vasopressin receptor , arginine , gene , clinical psychology , medicine , genetics , endocrinology , biology , amino acid , social psychology , psychotherapist
This study examined associations among maternal sensitivity, mothers' early adversity and the Arginine Vasopressin 1a Receptor ( AVPR1A ) gene. Early adversity in mothers' background has been found to be associated with lower maternal sensitivity. Animal literature suggests that variation in the AVPR1A gene is associated with parenting quality. The goal of the study was to examine the role of the AVPR1A gene in maternal sensitivity, especially under conditions of high early adversity. Participants included 151 Caucasian women from a community sample. The women were videotaped in their home while interacting separately with two of their children (target child = 18 months, older sibling <6 years). Evidence was found for an association between the AVPR1A gene and maternal sensitivity. Mothers with two copies of the long RS3 alleles were less sensitive than mothers with one or zero copies of the long alleles. This association was strongest under conditions of high maternal early adversity.