Molecular genetic underpinnings of self-control: 5-HTTLPR and self-control in a sample of inmates. Issue 5 (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wells, Jessica; Armstrong, Todd; Boutwell, Brian; Boisvert, Danielle; Flores, Shahida; Symonds, Mary; Gangitano, David
• Is Part Of: Journal of criminal justice. Volume 43:Issue 5(2015:Sep./Oct.)
• Page Start: 386
• Page End: 396
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Justice pénale -- Administration -- Périodiques; 364.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2015.07.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2352

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="ab0005"> <title id="st0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="st0010">Purpose</title> <p id="sp0005">Several studies now show that self-control, as proposed by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990), is at least moderately heritable. Studies of molecular genetic variation related to serotonergic function suggest that the heritability of self-control may be explained, in part, by the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0060">Methods</title> <p id="sp0010">The current research tests the association between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and self-control as measured by the Grasmick et al. (1993) scale. Analyses were based on a sample of incarcerated males and considered the effect of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism on the full self-control scale as well as the specific dimensions of self-control.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0015">Results</title> <p id="sp0015">The s/s genotype interacted with abuse to predict increases in overall self-control, preference for simple tasks and physical activity. Relative to the s/l genotype, the l/l genotype, which has been linked to psychopathy, was directly associated with more self-centeredness.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0020">Conclusions</title> <p id="sp0020">Results show that molecular genetic variation related to serotonergic function plays a role in the heritability of self-control. Variation in the association between 5-HTTLPR genotype and the distinct dimensions of self-control, while consistent with recent literature (see Yildirim & Derksen, 2013), indicates that self-control as originally presented by Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) is not a unitary construct.</p> </sec> </abstract>