Journal article
Association Between the Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and Adult Unresolved Attachment
Developmental psychology, Vol.45(1), pp.64-76
01/2009
DOI: 10.1037/a0014026
PMCID: PMC3676880
PMID: 19209991
Abstract
Research on antecedents of organized attachment has focused on the quality of caregiving received during childhood. In recent years, research has begun to examine the influence of genetic factors on quality of infant attachment. However, no published studies report on the association between specific genetic factors and adult attachment. This study examined the link between the 5-HTTLPR promoter polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene and adult unresolved attachment assessed with the Adult Attachment Interview. Genetic material and information on attachment-related loss or trauma were available for 86 participants. Multivariate regression analyses showed an association between the short 5-HTTLPR allele and increased risk for unresolved attachment. Temperament traits and psychological symptoms did not affect the association between 5-HTTLPR and unresolved attachment. The authors hypothesize that the increased susceptibility to unresolved attachment among carriers of the short allele of 5-HTTLPR is consistent with the role of serotonin in modulation of frontal-amygdala circuitry. The findings challenge current thinking by demonstrating significant genetic influences on a phenomenon previously thought to be largely environmentally driven.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Association Between the Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and Adult Unresolved Attachment
- Creators
- Kristin M Caspers - Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaSergio Paradiso - Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaRebecca Yucuis - Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaBeth Troutman - Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaStephan ArndtRobert Philibert - Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Developmental psychology, Vol.45(1), pp.64-76
- DOI
- 10.1037/a0014026
- PMID
- 19209991
- PMCID
- PMC3676880
- NLM abbreviation
- Dev Psychol
- ISSN
- 0012-1649
- eISSN
- 1939-0599
- Publisher
- American Psychological Association
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000026, name: National Institute on Drug Abuse, award: RO1 DA05821
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2009
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Psychiatry; Epidemiology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biostatistics; Nursing; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984003475202771
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