Type of Document	Dissertation
Author	Burns, Andrea B.
Author's Email Address	andrea.b.burns@gmail.com
URN	etd-06302006-202513
Title	Gender Differences in the Association between a Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism and Psychopathology
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Department	Psychology, Department of
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Natalie Sachs-Ericsson Committee Co-Chair Thomas E. Joiner, Jr. Committee Co-Chair E. Ashby Plant Committee Member Frank Johnson Committee Member Lisa Eckel Committee Member Patricia Y. Martin Committee Member
Keywords	Serotonin Transporter Genetics Depression Gender 5HTTLPR Psychopathology
Date of Defense	2006-06-12
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract Numerous studies have implicated the serotonin transporter gene in influencing risk for various types of psychopathology (e.g., depression, anxiety) and associated traits (e.g., neuroticism, aggression). However, the literature in this area has been plagued by inconsistencies in findings, leading to a developing interest in establishing moderating and mediating variables affecting the gene-psychopathology association. This study investigates the potential moderating role of gender, with the expectation that the short allele of the serotonin transporter gene is more strongly associated with risk for psychopathology in males than females. Four hundred twenty undergraduate participants provided DNA samples and completed questionnaire packets assessing current symptoms, history of diagnosis, and family history of psychopathology. No significant main effect of serotonin transporter genotype was found, but results do provide some preliminary support for a gender-genotype interaction as predictive of psychopathology, particularly depression.
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