Genetic risk of depression predicts negative evaluations in social interactions

Research suggests that gene-environment correlation (rGE) is a central mechanism in the causation of depression. In particular, individuals with a higher genetic risk of depression also have a disproportionately high risk of experiencing adversities that may to some extent be attributed to one's own behaviors. However, the specific behaviors implicated in this process remain a black box. In this study, we leverage a real life social interactional setting to investigate the link between the genetic burden of depression and behaviors that may evoke negative evaluations from others. We analyze observations about survey participants made by interviewers who were not privy to participants' genetic risk. Analysis of approximately 18,000 unique participants across two US datasets of older adults shows that a higher polygenic index (PGI) of depressive symptoms increased the probability of being perceived as experiencing cognitive struggle and discomfort, and being unhealthy, but not of being seen as untrustworthy or disengaged. These effects seem to be accounted for by stable differences in average depressive symptoms between individuals rather than elevated depressive symptoms during particular interactions. Specific evaluations were to some degree explained by the genetic correlation of depression with certain other traits, including ADHD, neuroticism, and self-rated health. Our findings suggest that the process of rGE in depression involves micro behaviors that are interpreted by others as signals of low competence and that create awkwardness during social interactions.