Measured Gene-Environment Interactions in Psychopathology: Concepts, Research Strategies, and Implications for Research, Intervention, and Public Understanding of Genetics
Abstract
There is much curiosity about interactions between genes and environmental risk factors for psychopathology, but this interest is accompanied by uncertainty. This article aims to address this uncertainty. First, we explain what is and is not meant by gene-environment interaction. Second, we discuss reasons why such interactions were thought to be rare in psychopathology, and argue instead that they ought to be common. Third, we summarize emerging evidence about gene-environment interactions in mental disorders. Fourth, we argue that research on gene-environment interactions should be hypothesis driven, and we put forward strategies to guide future studies. Fifth, we describe potential benefits of studying measured gene-environment interactions for basic neuroscience, gene hunting, intervention, and public understanding of genetics. We suggest that information about nurture might be harnessed to make new discoveries about the nature of psychopathology.
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Logistic regression techniques used to identify interactions in gene-environment studies can produce both false-positive and false-negative findings.
“The use of logistic regression techniques to identify interactions in GxE studies is widespread, but it is important to note that this technique can lead to both false-positive and false-negative findings”
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- Authors
- Moffitt, T. E., Caspi, A., & Rutter, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- King's College London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Moffitt, Terrie E.
- Venue
- Perspectives on Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2006-03
- Volume
- 1
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 5-27
- ISSN
- 1745-6916 (ISSN-L)
- 1745-6924
- OpenAlex
- W2080229119
- Cited by
- 389
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 26
- FWCI
- 20.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Perspectives on Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Keywords
- gene-environment interaction, psychopathology, mental illness, environmental risk factors, hypothesis-driven research, gene discovery, public understanding of genetics
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