Incarceration Risk, Genetic Inheritance, and Depression over the Life Course

• In Event: Sociogenomics: Integrating Whole-Genome Technology with Criminological Theory

Abstract

Integrating the collateral consequences of punishment literature, research on the relationship between depression and crime, and socio-genomic studies, we develop a conceptual model of the complex relationships among depression, incarceration risk, and genetic factors over the life course. We then test the model using measures of depression and incarceration and genome-wide polygenic scores on depression using two national longitudinal datasets: the Health and Retirement Study and the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. Results show that depression in childhood and polygenic scores of depression significantly predict incarceration risk. We also find that incarceration experience is significantly associated with higher levels of depression in late adulthood, but there is evidence that the association is largely confounded by depression in childhood and genetic factors.

Authors

• Hexuan Liu, University of Cincinnati

• Peter T. Tanksley, University of Cincinnati

• Ryan Motz, University of Cincinnati

• J.C. Barnes, University of Cincinnati