Smoking-specific parenting and smoking onset in adolescence: the role of genes from the dopaminergic system (DRD2, DRD4, DAT1 genotypes)

PLoS One. 2013 Apr 18;8(4):e61673. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061673. Print 2013.

Abstract

Although only few studies have shown direct links between dopaminergic system genes and smoking onset, this does not rule out the effect of a gene-environment interaction on smoking onset. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the associations between smoking-specific parenting (i.e., frequency and quality of communication and house rules) and smoking onset while considering the potential moderating role of dopaminergic system genes (i.e., DRD2, DRD4, and DAT1 genotypes). Data from five annual waves of the 'Family and Health' project were used. At time 1, the sample comprised 365 non-smoking adolescents (200 younger adolescents, mean age = 13.31, SD = .48; 165 older adolescents, mean age = 15.19, SD = .57). Advanced longitudinal analyses were used (i.e., logistic regression analyses, (dual) latent growth curves, and cross-lagged path models). The results showed a direct effect of quality of communication on smoking onset. No direct effects were found for frequency of communication and house rules. Furthermore, no direct and moderating effects of the DRD2, DRD4, or DAT1 genotypes were found. In conclusion, the findings indicated that the effects of smoking-specific parenting on smoking are similar for adolescent carriers and non-carriers of the dopaminergic system genes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Communication
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene-Environment Interaction
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Parenting / psychology*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / genetics*
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4 / genetics*
  • Smoking / genetics*

Substances

  • DRD2 protein, human
  • DRD4 protein, human
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • SLC6A3 protein, human
  • Receptors, Dopamine D4

Grants and funding

The ‘Family and Health’ project was granted by the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF: 2006-3464) and the Dutch Organization of Scientific Research (NWO: 016-005-029; 400-05-051). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.