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Violence exposure in an urban city: A GxE interaction with aggressive and impulsive behaviors
Author(s) -
Musci Rashelle J.,
Bettencourt Amie F.,
Sisto Danielle,
Maher Brion,
Masyn Katherine,
Ialongo Nicholas S.
Publication year - 2019
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/jcpp.12966
Subject(s) - psychology , developmental psychology , longitudinal study , psychological intervention , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , injury prevention , suicide prevention , gene–environment interaction , clinical psychology , environmental health , psychiatry , medicine , genetics , pathology , biology , genotype , gene
Background Previous research has demonstrated a reciprocal relationship between community violence exposure and disruptive behavior problems among youth. No study to date, however, has explored the potential interaction between violence exposure in early adolescence and genetics. Methods We explore the gene x environment interaction's impact on teacher‐rated aggressive and impulsive behaviors. Violence exposure during the middle school years was assessed using self‐report. Genetic data collection occurred in emerging adulthood. A polygenic score was created using findings from a conduct disorder symptomatology genome‐wide association study. Results Three longitudinal classes of teacher reported aggressive and impulsive behavior were identified. We found a significant relationship between violence exposure and class membership. There was a significant GxE interaction, such that those with below average levels of the polygenic score and who were exposed to violence were more likely to be in the moderately high aggressive and impulsive class as compared to the no to low class. Conclusions These findings highlight the influence of genetic risk together with violence exposure on adolescent problem behavior. Although youth may have little control over the environments in which they live, interventions can and should focus on helping all youth.