Abstract
This study examined effects from a specific dopamine receptor gene (DRD4), environmental influences from parents and peers, and the interaction between them, on aggressive and prosocial behaviors of preschoolers. Children were classified as DRD4-L (n=27) if they had at least one DRD4 allele with six to eight repeats and as DRD4-S (n=35) if not. Parent-child interactions were coded when children were 3-4 years old. Peer interaction data and parent questionnaires were collected at age 5. DRD4-L children shared less with each other and parents were less sensitive during parent-twin triadic interactions. Also, genotype interacted with peer aggression to affect children's aggression during a peer play interaction at age 5, and genotype interacted with prior parental sensitivity to affect later externalizing problems. Thus, children having a certain genetic disposition may be more sensitive to certain environmental stimuli and therefore more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors under more stressful circumstances.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 451-464 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Developmental psychobiology |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aggression
- DRD4
- Parental environment
- Preschoolers
- Prosocial
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Behavioral Neuroscience