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Gene-environment processes linking peer victimization and physical health problems: a longitudinal twin study
Mara Brendgen1, Alain Girard, Frank Vitaro
1Department of Psychology, University of Quebec at Montreal, CP 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3P8. Brendgen.Mara@uqam.ca.
Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|October 4, 2013
Summary
Genetic vulnerability for adolescent physical health issues elevates peer victimization risk. Environmental factors, not genetics, primarily influence physical symptoms in victims, highlighting protective environmental influences.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral genetics
- Developmental psychology
- Childhood health
Background:
- Peer victimization is a significant stressor in childhood.
- Genetic predispositions can influence physical health problems.
- The interplay between genetic vulnerability and peer victimization is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if genetic disposition for physical health problems increases peer victimization risk.
- To determine if peer victimization interacts with genetic vulnerability in explaining physical health problems.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a twin study design with 167 monozygotic and 119 dizygotic twin pairs.
- Assessed physical symptoms in early childhood and early adolescence.
- Measured peer victimization in middle childhood.
Main Results:
- Genetic vulnerability for physical health problems in early adolescence, but not early childhood, predicted increased risk of peer victimization.
- No significant interaction was found between peer victimization and genetic factors in predicting physical symptoms.
- Environmental factors, rather than genetic influences, were the primary drivers of physical symptom development in victims.
Conclusions:
- Genetic vulnerability associated with physical health problems during early adolescence is a risk factor for peer victimization.
- The exacerbation of physical symptoms in victims is contingent upon the presence of protective environmental factors.
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