Genetic Moderation of Intervention Efficacy: Dopaminergic Genes,The Incredible Years,and Externalizing Behavior in Children |
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| Authors: | Rabia R Chhangur Joyce Weeland Geertjan Overbeek Walter Matthys Bram Orobio de Castro Danielle van der Giessen Jay Belsky |
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| Institution: | 1. University of Amsterdam;2. Utrecht University;3. University of California, Davis |
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| Abstract: | This study investigated whether children scoring higher on a polygenic plasticity index based on five dopaminergic genes (DRD4, DRD2, DAT1, MAOA, and COMT) benefited the most from the Incredible Years (IY) parent program. Data were used from a randomized controlled trial including 341 Dutch families with 4‐ to 8‐year‐old children (55.7% boys) showing moderate to high levels of problem behavior. IY proved to be most effective in decreasing parent‐reported (but not observed) externalizing behavior in boys (but not girls) carrying more rather than fewer dopaminergic plasticity alleles; this Gene × Intervention effect was most pronounced in the case of boys whose parents’ manifested the most positive change in parenting in response to the intervention. These results proved robust across a variety of sampling specifications (e.g., intention to treat, ethnicity). |
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