Parenting and the Serotonin Transporter Gene (5HTTLPR), Is There an Association? A Systematic Review of the Literature

Marta Landoni, Alice Dalla Muta, Sonia Di Tella, Giulia Ciuffo, Paola Di Blasio and Chiara Ionio
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Marta Landoni: CRIdee, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
Alice Dalla Muta: Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
Sonia Di Tella: Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
Giulia Ciuffo: CRIdee, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
Paola Di Blasio: CRIdee, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
Chiara Ionio: CRIdee, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: The current systematic review examines whether there is an association between the genetic 5-HTTPLR polymorphism and parenting, and the mechanisms by which this association operates. The literature was searched in various databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. In line with our inclusion criteria, nine articles were eligible out of 22. Most of the studies analysed in this review found an association between 5HTTLPR and parenting. Four studies found a direct association between 5-HTTLPR and parenting with conflicting findings: two studies found that mothers carrying the short variant were more sensitive to their infants, while two studies found that parents carrying the S allele were less sensitive. In addition, several studies found strong interaction between genetic and environmental factors, such as childhood stress and disruptive child behaviour, quality of early care experiences, poor parenting environment, and quality of the environment. Only one study found an association between children’s 5HTTLPR and parenting. Parenting can be described as a highly complex construct influenced by multiple factors, including the environment, as well as parent and child characteristics. According to the studies, maternal 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is most likely to be associated with sensitive parenting.

Keywords: parenting; 5HTTLPR; serotonin transporter; maternal sensitivity; polymorphism; gene X environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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