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Gene-Environment Interactions in ADHD: The Roles of SES and Chaos

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Abstract

Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly heritable, emerging evidence suggests symptoms are associated with interactions between genes and the environment (GxE) during development. This study tested whether heritability of ADHD symptoms is moderated by two environmental factors: socioeconomic status (SES) and chaos (household disorganisation). A population sample of 520 twin pairs (N = 1040, 52.3% female) from 6 to 15 years completed measures of behavior and home environment. Structural equation modelling was then used to test whether environmental factors were associated with a change in the extent to which genes explain variability in ADHD symptoms. Neither chaos nor SES moderated heritability, with consistent contributions from both genes and environment indicated across socioeconomic strata and levels of chaos. This finding contrasts with those of previous research, underlining the need to replicate results in the emerging field of GxE research across different populations and statistical methods. Robust findings may assist in developing targeted interventions for genetically vulnerable individuals.

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Acknowledgements

Funding was provided the Australian Research Council (DP120102414 and DP150102441). We thank the twins and parents involved, and the Australian Twin Registry who were supported by a Centre of Excellence Grant from the National Health & Medical Research Council administered by The University of Melbourne.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia

    Karen L. Gould, William L. Coventry & Brian Byrne

  2. University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309-0345, USA

    Richard K. Olson

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  1. Karen L. Gould
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  2. William L. Coventry
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Correspondence to William L. Coventry.

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Gould, K.L., Coventry, W.L., Olson, R.K. et al. Gene-Environment Interactions in ADHD: The Roles of SES and Chaos. J Abnorm Child Psychol 46, 251–263 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-017-0268-7

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