The interplay of genetic and environmental factors in shaping well-being across the lifespan: Evidence from the serotonin transporter gene. (2nd September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gärtner, Matti; Grimm, Simone; Aust, Sabine; Fan, Yan; von Scheve, Christian; Bajbouj, Malek
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 22:Number 9(2018)
• Page Start: 1222
• Page End: 1228
• Publication Date: 2018-09-02
• Subjects: Aging -- 5-HTTLPR -- early life stress -- evaluative well-being -- affective well-being; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1348467
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Converging evidence suggests that well-being plays an important role in promoting and maintaining mental health across the life span. It has been shown that well-being has a considerable heritable component, but little is known about the specific genes involved. Methods : In this study, we investigated a healthy sample ( N = 298) that was genotyped for the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR). We hypothesized that 5-HTTLPR gene variation would influence well-being, and additionally investigated interaction effects with age and the environmental influence of early life stress (ELS). Results : Using multiple regression, our results showed a significant three-way interaction between genotype, ELS, and age. Exploration of this interaction showed that young subjects had decreased levels of well-being if they were exposed to ELS and homozygous for the short variant of 5-HTTLPR. This relationship was reversed in old age: subjects that were exposed to ELS and carried the long variant of 5-HTTLPR had decreased levels of well-being. Conclusion : Our results indicate that genetic and environmental factors have joint effects on well-being that are susceptible to profound changes across the life span.