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Boys' serotonin transporter genotype affects maternal behavior through self-control: A case of evocative gene–environment correlation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2013

Roni Pener-Tessler ,
Reut Avinun ,
Florina Uzefovsky ,
Shany Edelman ,
Richard P. Ebstein  and
Ariel Knafo
Roni Pener-Tessler
Affiliation:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Reut Avinun
Affiliation:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Florina Uzefovsky
Affiliation:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Shany Edelman
Affiliation:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Richard P. Ebstein
Affiliation:
National University of Singapore
Ariel Knafo*
Affiliation:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Ariel Knafo, Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem 91905, Israel; E-mail: msarielk@huji.ac.il.
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Abstract

Self-control, involving processes such as delaying gratification, concentrating, planning, following instructions, and adapting emotions and behavior to situational requirements and social norms, may have a profound impact on children's adjustment. The importance of self-control suggests that parents are likely to modify their parenting based on children's ability for self-control. We study the effect of children's self-control, a trait partially molded by genetics, on their mothers' parenting, a process of evocative gene–environment correlation. Israeli 3.5-year-old twins (N = 320) participated in a lab session in which their mothers' parenting was observed. DNA was available from most children (N = 228). Mothers described children's self-control in a questionnaire. Boys were lower in self-control and received less positive parenting from their mothers, in comparison with girls. For boys, and not for girls, the serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region gene predicted mothers' levels of positive parenting, an effect mediated by boys' self-control. The implications of this evocative gene–environment correlation and the observed sex differences are discussed.

Type
Special Section Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 25 , Issue 1: Gene–Environment Correlation in Developmental Psychopathology , February 2013 , pp. 151 - 162
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013

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