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International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Vol. 51, No. 6, 620-645 (2007) DOI: 10.1177/0306624X07304157 Evidence of a Gene X Environment Interaction in the Creation of VictimizationResults From a Longitudinal Sample of AdolescentsFlorida State University, Tallahassee, kbeaver{at}mailer.fsu.edu
University of Cincinnati, Ohio
Iowa State University, Ames
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro
Northeastern University, Boston, MA
University of Florida, Gainesville A large body of research has revealed that aggressive personality traits and violent criminal behaviors are influenced by genetic factors. Surprisingly, however, no research has been devoted to investigating the potential genetic origins to adolescent victimization. In the current study, the authors address this gap in the literature by using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine whether different variants of the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) are related to victimization, net of the effects of environmental measures. The results of the multivariate models revealed a significant gene X environment interaction in the creation of victimization for White males. Specifically, DRD2 interacted with delinquent peers to predict victimization. The authors discuss the implications of these findings.
Key Words: biosocial gene X environment interaction DRD2 victimization
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