Genes, Maternal Negativity, and Self-Control: Evidence of a Gene × Environment Interaction

Abstract

Maternal negativity has been consistently linked to a wide range of behavior problems in youth. Many of these problems are closely linked to low self-control. Even so, it is clear that not all youth exposed to maternal negativity show high levels of low self-control. Using direct measures of dopamine genes, we explore the extent to which dopamine genes are associated with variation in low self-control when accompanied by high and low levels of maternal negativity. Our results provide considerable evidence of a Gene × Enviornment interaction and may help to better specify which youth are likely to demonstrate low self-control when faced with stressful stimuli. © The Author(s) 2012.