Interplay of genes and early mother-child relationship in the development of self-regulation from toddler to preschool age

Grazyna Kochanska; Robert A Philibert; Robin A Barry

doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.02050.x

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Interplay of genes and early mother-child relationship in the development of self-regulation from toddler to preschool age

Journal article

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Interplay of genes and early mother-child relationship in the development of self-regulation from toddler to preschool age

Grazyna Kochanska, Robert A Philibert and Robin A Barry

Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, Vol.50(11), pp.1331-1338

11/2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.02050.x

PMCID: PMC2882680

PMID: 19207629

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/2882680View

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Abstract

A broad capacity for deliberate self-regulation plays a key role in emotion regulation. This longitudinal investigation from infancy to preschool age examines genotype by environment (G x E) interaction in the development of self-regulation, using molecular measures of children's genotypes and observed measures of the quality of early mother-child relationship, as reflected in attachment organization in infancy. In 89 children, we assessed the polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR, ss/sl vs. ll allele status), security of attachment to mothers at 15 months in the Strange Situation, and children's ability for self-regulation at 25, 38, and 52 months, using behavioral batteries of tasks that called for deliberately suppressing a dominant response and performing instead a sub-dominant response. There was a robust G x E interaction between genetic risk and the quality of early relationship. Among children who carried a short 5-HTTLPR allele (ss/sl ), those who were insecurely attached developed poor regulatory capacities, but those who were securely attached developed as good regulatory capacities as children who were homozygotic for the long allele (ll ). There was no effect of security for ll homozygotes. Those findings, consistent with diathesis-stress model, bridge research on self-regulation in typically developing children with research on non-human primates and research on psychopathology. They also indicate that a secure attachment relationship can serve as a protective factor in the presence of risk conferred by a genotype.

Genetic Predisposition to Disease - genetics

Object Attachment

Humans

Risk Factors

Child, Preschool

Genotype

Male

Mother-Child Relations

Regression Analysis

Emotional Intelligence - genetics

Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins - genetics

Female

Polymorphism, Genetic - genetics

Child Development

Longitudinal Studies

Details

Title: Subtitle: Interplay of genes and early mother-child relationship in the development of self-regulation from toddler to preschool age
Creators: Grazyna Kochanska - Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1407, USA. grazyna-kochanska@uiowa.edu
Robert A Philibert
Robin A Barry
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, Vol.50(11), pp.1331-1338
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.02050.x
PMID: 19207629
PMCID: PMC2882680
NLM abbreviation: J Child Psychol Psychiatry
ISSN: 1469-7610
eISSN: 1469-7610
Publisher: England
Grant note: K02 MH001446 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH063096-08 / NIMH NIH HHS KO2 MH01446 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 HD069171 / NICHD NIH HHS R01 MH63096 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 DA015789 / NIDA NIH HHS R01 MH063096 / NIMH NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 11/2009
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984003914302771

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