Understanding Gene, Environment, and Gene × Environment Interaction Effects: The Example of Childhood Externalizing Disorders

Abstract

Over the past 60 years, researchers have used behavior genetics approaches to improve our understanding of the roles of nature and nurture in relation to child development and psychopathology (i.e., Cleveland, Wiebe, van den Oord, & Rowe, 2000; Deater-Deckard, 2000; Ganiban et al., 2007; Ge et al., 1996). The current chapter aims to introduce the rationale and methodology of genetic epidemiology in the context of genetic and environmental influences on childhood externalizing behaviors. An introduction will be provided to the research designs and methodological concepts commonly utilized in quantitative genetic studies. Family, twin, adoption, and combination study designs will be discussed and examples of each will be presented. Furthermore, aspects of the interplay between genes and environment, including genotype-environment correlations and interactions, will be explored and the current and future directions for the study of genotype-environment interplay will be discussed. These issues will be examined through a review of the behavioral genetic literature on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), antisocial behaviors, and conduct disorder. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)