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Externalizing Problem Behavior in Adolescence: Dopaminergic Genes in Interaction with Peer Acceptance and Rejection

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Abstract

Molecular gene-by-environment studies primarily have focuses on the parent–child relationship as an environmental factor, whereas studies including peer relationships as environmental factor are rare. However, the effects of the peer context may not be the same for all adolescents due to biological characteristics. This study examined whether the effects of peer rejection and acceptance on externalizing behavior depend upon adolescents’ genotype for the dopamine transporter (DAT1) or receptor D4 (DRD4) gene. In a sample of 563 adolescents (52 % girls; M age = 13.81), saliva samples, within-classroom peer nominations, and multi-informant behavior ratings were collected. Peer rejection, but not acceptance, was associated with externalizing problems. One out of eight models tested for rule-breaking behavior showed genetic moderation. According to the Roisman criteria, there was evidence for the differential susceptibility hypothesis. DAT1 10R carriers showed more rule-breaking behavior according to parents when experiencing high peer rejection, but less rule-breaking behavior when experiencing low peer rejection. The long DRD4 variant was associated with less aggression, but no moderation effects were found. The results are discussed in light of the differential susceptibility hypothesis and the reward sensitivity mechanism.

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Acknowledgments

The authors received a Concerted Research Action Grant from the KU Leuven Research Fund (GOA/12/009). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The authors did not have any competing interests that might be seen as influencing the research. Permission for the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Leuven, Belgium. This manuscript is an original contribution which has not been previously published and is not being simultaneously submitted elsewhere. All authors are in agreement with the content of the manuscript and authorship in the indicated order.

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interests.

Author contributions

All authors conceived and designed the study. A.J. performed the data collection and statistical analysis and drafted the manuscript; W.V.D.N. coordinated the study, supported the data analysis, and helped to draft the manuscript; L.G., K.V., and H.C. coordinated the study and helped to draft the manuscript; S.D.L. performed the measurement and helped to draft the manuscript; S.C. coordinated the study; K.V.L. coordinated the study, supported the data analysis, and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 32, Box 3765, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Annelies Janssens & Karla Van Leeuwen

  2. School Psychology and Child and Adolescent Development, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, Box 3717, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Annelies Janssens, Luc Goossens, Karine Verschueren, Hilde Colpin & Steven De Laet

  3. Methodology of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, Box 3762, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Wim Van Den Noortgate

  4. Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, UZ Herestraat 49, Box 7003 37, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Stephan Claes

Authors
  1. Annelies Janssens
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  2. Wim Van Den Noortgate
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  3. Luc Goossens
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  4. Karine Verschueren
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  5. Hilde Colpin
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  6. Steven De Laet
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  7. Stephan Claes
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  8. Karla Van Leeuwen
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Correspondence to Annelies Janssens.

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Janssens, A., Van Den Noortgate, W., Goossens, L. et al. Externalizing Problem Behavior in Adolescence: Dopaminergic Genes in Interaction with Peer Acceptance and Rejection. J Youth Adolescence 44, 1441–1456 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0304-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0304-2

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