ERIC Number: EJ813493
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Dec
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9630
EISSN: N/A
Research Review: Genetic Vulnerability or Differential Susceptibility in Child Development--The Case of Attachment
Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J.; van IJzendoorn, Marinus H.
Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, v48 n12 p1160-1173 Dec 2007
Gene-environment interactions interpreted in terms of differential susceptibility may play a large part in the explanation of individual differences in human development. Reviewing studies on the behavioral and molecular genetics of attachment, we present evidence for interactions between genetic and environmental factors explaining individual differences in attachment security and disorganization. In particular, the DRD4 7-repeat polymorphism seems associated with an increased risk for disorganized attachment, but only when combined with environmental risk. Gene-environment (G x E) interactions may be interpreted as genetic vulnerability "or" differential susceptibility. We found support for the differential susceptibility hypothesis predicting not only more "negative" outcomes for susceptible children in unfavorable environments, but also "positive" outcomes for susceptible children in "favorable" environments.
Descriptors: Genetics, Child Development, Attachment Behavior, Individual Differences, Molecular Structure, Environmental Influences, Security (Psychology), Risk, Prediction
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A