Do Polygenic Indices Capture “Direct” Effects on Child Externalizing Behavior Problems? Within-Family Analyses in Two Longitudinal Birth Cohorts

Clinical Psychological Science, vol. 13, pp. 316–331

Abstract

Failures of self-control can manifest as externalizing behaviors (e.g., aggression, rule-breaking) that have far-reaching negative consequences. Researchers have long been interested in measuring children’s genetic risk for externalizing behaviors to inform efforts at early identification and intervention. Drawing on data from the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study ( N = 862 twins) and the Millennium Cohort Study ( N = 2,824 parent–child trios), two longitudinal cohorts from the United Kingdom, we leveraged molecular genetic data and within-family designs to test for genetic associations with externalizing behavior that are not affected by common sources of environmental influence. We found that a polygenic index (PGI) calculated from genetic variants discovered in previous studies of self-controlled behavior in adults captures direct genetic effects on externalizing problems in children and adolescents when evaluated with rigorous within-family designs (βs = 0.13–0.19 across development). The PGI for externalizing behavior can usefully augment psychological studies of the development of self-control.

Authors 16

1. Peter T. Tanksley corresponding

   Texas State University · The University of Texas at Austin

   Affiliation as printed

   Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center, Texas State University

   Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin

2. Sarah J. Brislin

   Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

3. Jasmin Wertz

   University of Edinburgh

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh

4. Ronald de Vlaming

   Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Economics, School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

5. Natasia S. Courchesne‐Krak
   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry, University of California

6. Travis T. Mallard

   Harvard University · Massachusetts General Hospital

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

   Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital

7. Laurel Raffington

   Max Planck Institute for Human Development

   Affiliation as printed

   Max Planck Research Group Biosocial – Biology, Social Disparities, and Development, Max Planck Institute for Human Development

8. Richard Karlsson Linnér Aachen Department of Economics, Leiden Law School

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Economics, Leiden Law School, Leiden University

9. Philipp Koellinger

   Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Economics, School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

10. Abraham A. Palmer
    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychiatry, University of California

    Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California

11. Sandra Sanchez‐Roige

    Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Department of Psychiatry, University of California

12. Irwin D. Waldman

    Emory University

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychology, Emory University

13. Danielle M. Dick

    Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

14. Terrie E. Moffitt

    Duke University · King's College London · University of Oslo

    Affiliation as printed

    Center for the Study of Population Health & Aging, Duke University Population Research Institute, Duke University

    Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University

    Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University

    Department of Psychology, University of Oslo

    Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London

    Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London

15. Avshalom Caspi

    Duke University · King's College London · University of Oslo

    Affiliation as printed

    Center for the Study of Population Health & Aging, Duke University Population Research Institute, Duke University

    Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University

    Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University

    Department of Psychology, University of Oslo

    Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London

    Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London

16. K. Paige Harden corresponding

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin

    Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin