The association between parenting and attachment security is moderated by a polymorphism in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene: Evidence for differential susceptibility

Maartje P.C.M. Luijk; Anne Tharner; Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg; Marinus H. van Ijzendoorn; Vincent W.V. Jaddoe; Albert Hofman; Frank C. Verhulst; Henning Tiemeier

doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.06.005

The association between parenting and attachment security is moderated by a polymorphism in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene: Evidence for differential susceptibility

Maartje P.C.M. Luijk, Anne Tharner, Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg^*, Marinus H. van Ijzendoorn, Vincent W.V. Jaddoe, Albert Hofman, Frank C. Verhulst, Henning Tiemeier

^*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Maternal sensitive responsiveness and extreme insensitivity only partly explain the variance in attachment security. Differences in attachment security may well be rooted in the interplay of genetic variations and environmental factors. The association between parenting (observed sensitive responsiveness and extreme insensitivity) and attachment security (assessed with the Strange Situation Procedure) was hypothesized to be moderated by genes involved in the regulation of the stress response: the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) genes. A significant G. × E interaction was found: infants carrying the minor MR allele (G) were significantly more securely attached if their mothers showed more sensitive responsiveness and significantly less securely attached if their mothers showed more extremely insensitive behaviors. These associations were not significant for carriers of the AA genotype of MR. Findings are discussed from a differential susceptibility perspective.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	37-40
Number of pages	4
Journal	Biological Psychology
Volume	88
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.06.005
Publication status	Published - 1 Sept 2011
Externally published	Yes

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by grants from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO, grant no. 400-04-182, grant no. 452-04-306 (VIDI) and NWO SPINOZA prize). NWO had no further role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The Generation R Study is conducted by the Erasmus Medical Center in close collaboration with the School of Law and Faculty of Social Sciences of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Municipal Health Service Rotterdam area, Rotterdam, the Rotterdam Homecare Foundation, Rotterdam and the Stichting Trombosedienst & Artsenlaboratorium Rijnmond (STAR), Rotterdam. We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of general practitioners, hospitals, midwives and pharmacies in Rotterdam. The first phase of the Generation R Study is made possible by financial support from the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw). The present study was supported by additional grants from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (grant no. 400-04-182 , grant no. 452-04-306 (VIDI) and NWO SPINOZA prize). Appendix A

Keywords

Attachment
Differential susceptibility
GR
MR
Parenting

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10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.06.005

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Luijk, M. P. C. M., Tharner, A., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., van Ijzendoorn, M. H., Jaddoe, V. W. V., Hofman, A., Verhulst, F. C., & Tiemeier, H. (2011). The association between parenting and attachment security is moderated by a polymorphism in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene: Evidence for differential susceptibility. Biological Psychology, 88(1), 37-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.06.005

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abstract = "Maternal sensitive responsiveness and extreme insensitivity only partly explain the variance in attachment security. Differences in attachment security may well be rooted in the interplay of genetic variations and environmental factors. The association between parenting (observed sensitive responsiveness and extreme insensitivity) and attachment security (assessed with the Strange Situation Procedure) was hypothesized to be moderated by genes involved in the regulation of the stress response: the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) genes. A significant G. × E interaction was found: infants carrying the minor MR allele (G) were significantly more securely attached if their mothers showed more sensitive responsiveness and significantly less securely attached if their mothers showed more extremely insensitive behaviors. These associations were not significant for carriers of the AA genotype of MR. Findings are discussed from a differential susceptibility perspective.",

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author = "Luijk, {Maartje P.C.M.} and Anne Tharner and Bakermans-Kranenburg, {Marian J.} and {van Ijzendoorn}, {Marinus H.} and Jaddoe, {Vincent W.V.} and Albert Hofman and Verhulst, {Frank C.} and Henning Tiemeier",

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Luijk, MPCM, Tharner, A, Bakermans-Kranenburg, MJ, van Ijzendoorn, MH, Jaddoe, VWV, Hofman, A, Verhulst, FC & Tiemeier, H 2011, 'The association between parenting and attachment security is moderated by a polymorphism in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene: Evidence for differential susceptibility', Biological Psychology, vol. 88, no. 1, pp. 37-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.06.005

The association between parenting and attachment security is moderated by a polymorphism in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene: Evidence for differential susceptibility. / Luijk, Maartje P.C.M.; Tharner, Anne; Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J. et al.
In: Biological Psychology, Vol. 88, No. 1, 01.09.2011, p. 37-40.

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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The association between parenting and attachment security is moderated by a polymorphism in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene: Evidence for differential susceptibility

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

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