Gene by Social-Strain Interaction for Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Pilot Study in Chinese Population

• In Event: Theoretical Predictors of Substance Use

Abstract

Recent years have seen the rise of biosocial criminology, yet little research in this area has focused on the Chinese population. In addition, while previous literature on general strain theory has shown the significant effects of social strain on substance abuse, relatively little has considered the role of genetic factors. Guided by the differential susceptibility to context model, this study examines how social strain interacts with genetic factors in predicting substance abuse, including alcohol abuse and illicit drug use, among the Chinese. The model of differential susceptibility to context posits that some individuals are genetically predisposed to be more susceptible than others to a range of social contextual influence, whether that social environment is adverse or supportive. The sample included 804 young male adults in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, mainland China. We conducted a community-based survey of the male participants, and collected their saliva samples to extract their DNA. Data analyses were performed in PLINK 1.90 beta and GCTA 1.26.0. While certain genotypes (e.g., DRD2, CHRNA6, and COMT) are found to have direct effects on the substance abuse outcomes, their effects are also moderated by stress experiences in the childhood and current social strain.

Authors

• Nicole W.T. Cheung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Xi Chen, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Stephen Kwok-wing Tsui, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Hua Zhong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Leon M. Shi, The Chinese University of Hong Kong