Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Retrospective self-reports of childhood trauma are associated with a greater risk of psychopathology in adulthood than prospective measures of trauma. Heritable reporter characteristics are anticipated to account for part of this association, whereby genetic predisposition to certain traits influences both the likelihood of self-reporting trauma and of developing psychopathology. However, previous research has not considered how gene-environment correlation influences these associations. AIMS: To investigate reporter characteristics associated with retrospective self-reports of childhood trauma and whether these associations are accounted for by gene-environment correlation. METHOD: In 3963 unrelated individuals from the Twins Early Development Study, we tested whether polygenic scores for 21 psychiatric, cognitive, anthropometric and personality traits were associated with retrospectively self-reported childhood emotional and physical abuse. To assess the presence of gene-environment correlation, we investigated whether these associations remained after controlling for composite scores of environmental adversity across development. RESULTS: Retrospectively self-reported childhood trauma was associated with polygenic scores for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), body mass index (BMI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and risky behaviours. When composite scores of environmental adversity were controlled for, only associations with the polygenic scores for ASD and PTSD remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic predisposition to ASD and PTSD may increase liability to experiencing or interpreting events as traumatic. Associations between genetic predisposition for risky behaviour and BMI with self-reported childhood trauma may reflect gene-environment correlation. Studies of the association between retrospectively self-reported childhood trauma and later-life outcomes should consider that genetically influenced reporter characteristics may confound associations, both directly and through gene-environment correlation.
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2021.207
Language: English
Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,920
Funders: South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Wellcome Trust, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Department of Health and Social Care, King's College London, University College London, NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, Medical Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council
Awards: Applying causal inference methods to investigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental health, G340781964, TEDS 26: A longitudinal genetic approach to understanding the development and intergenerational transmission of common mental health conditions, G463724992, Origins of learning difficulties and behaviour problems: from behavioural genetics to behavioural genomics., G6038872687, G6317100164, G7371352047, Applying causal inference methods to investigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental health, G9000002131
OpenAlex ID: W4226198672