Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
Links between parent depression and child temperament dimensions of fear and activity level (AL) were examined in 100 sibling pairs 2.5-5.5 years of age and their mothers. Associations between the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) polymorphism 5- HTTLPR/rs25531 and the phenotypic variables were also explored. Parent depression was significantly correlated with higher child AL, but was minimally associated with fear outcomes. Regression analyses revealed that parent depression, child gender, and age also predicted child AL, but only child gender and age predicted child fear. Additionally, the low-expressing genotypes of the 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphism predicted child fearfulness, but not child AL. Our phenotypic findings indicate that children with a depressed parent are more likely to have high AL. Results of the genetic analyses show that the 5 HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphism is associated with the child fearfulness. Future research employing larger samples, observational assessments, and related child behavioral maladjustment measures will further clarify these findings.
Publication Date
5-1-2016
Language
English
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Gazor, Afsoon, "THE EFFECTS OF PARENTAL DEPRESSION ON CHILD TEMPERAMENT: AN EXPLORATORY GENETIC ANALYSIS" (2016). 2016 Spring Honors Capstone Projects. 25.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_spring2016/25