Poster #5 - Parenting and Children’s Polygenic Scores for Disruptive Behavior: Gene-Environment Interactions in a RCT

• In Event: Poster Session 20

Abstract

Dysfunctional parenting (harsh and physical disciplining strategies and lack of parental warmth and sensitivity) has been identified as an important contributor to the development of children’s disruptive behavior. However, some studies suggest that disruptive behavior is under a gene-by-environment influence. Previous studies aiming to identify the interplay between children’s genes and parenting in the development of disruptive behavior have either relied on simple cumulative candidate gene indices or used uncontrolled-correlational designs. This study aimed to overcome these limitations by investigating whether children with higher polygenic scores for disruptive behavior (PGS-DB) benefited more from the effects of the Incredible Years (IY) parent program. Data were used from a randomized controlled trial with pretest, post-test, and 4-month follow-up data from 273 Dutch families with 4-to 8-year-old children (51% boys) with moderate-to-high levels of problem behavior (i.e., ECBI ≥ 75th percentile). The results of preliminary regression models from both person-centered and variable-centered analytical approaches provided evidence in favor of G×E. IY proved to be more effective in decreasing parent-reported externalizing behavior for children with a higher PGS-DB, compared to children with a lower PGS-DB. However, controlling for children’s baseline levels of disruptive behavior attenuated these causal links. These results provide preliminary evidence to suggest that child PGS for heightened disruptive behavior are relevant screening markers to consider for tailoring support to at-risk families. However, results need replicating across multiple parenting intervention trials and with related GWAS-based polygenic scores. Also, sensitivity analyses controlling for actual improvement in parenting practices are warranted.

Group Authors

Huijzer-Engbrenghof, M., Van Rijn-van Gelderen, L., Nieterau, M., & Overbeek, G.

Author

• Marijke Huijzer-Engbrenghof, University of Amsterdam
  Presenting Author