@article{166d4c3f36694f49967e10e6df98d1ae,
title = "Do polygenic indices capture “direct” effects on child externalizing behavior problems?: Within-family analyses in two longitudinal birth cohorts",
abstract = "Failures of self-control can manifest as externalizing behaviors (e.g., aggression, rule-breaking) that have far-reaching negative consequences. Researchers have long been interested in measuring children{\textquoteright}s genetic risk for externalizing behaviors to inform efforts at early identification and intervention. Drawing on data from the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study (N = 862 twins) and the Millennium Cohort Study (N = 2,824 parent–child trios), two longitudinal cohorts from the United Kingdom, we leveraged molecular genetic data and within-family designs to test for genetic associations with externalizing behavior that are not affected by common sources of environmental influence. We found that a polygenic index (PGI) calculated from genetic variants discovered in previous studies of self-controlled behavior in adults captures direct genetic effects on externalizing problems in children and adolescents when evaluated with rigorous within-family designs (βs = 0.13–0.19 across development). The PGI for externalizing behavior can usefully augment psychological studies of the development of self-control.",
keywords = "self-control, externalizing, polygenic index, direct genetic effects, development",
author = "Tanksley, {Peter T.} and Brislin, {Sarah J.} and Jasmin Wertz and {de Vlaming}, Ronald and Courchesne-Krak, {Natasia S.} and Mallard, {Travis T.} and Raffington, {Laurel L.} and Linner, {Richard Karlsson} and Philipp Koellinger and Palmer, {Abraham A.} and Sandra Sanchez-Roige and Waldman, {Irwin D.} and Danielle Dick and Moffitt, {Terrie E.} and Avshalom Caspi and Harden, {K. Paige}",
note = "Peter T. Tanksley: Conceptualization; Data curation; Formal analysis; Investigation; Methodology; Visualization; Writing – original draft. Sarah J. Brislin: Data curation; Formal analysis; Writing – review & editing. Jasmin Wertz: Data curation; Formal analysis; Writing – review & editing. Ronald de Vlaming: Methodology. Natasia S. Courchesne-Krak: Writing – review & editing. Travis T. Mallard: Writing – review & editing. Laurel L. Raffington: Writing – review & editing. Richard Karlsson Linn{\'e}r: Methodology; Project administration; Writing – review & editing. Philipp Koellinger: Project administration; Resources; Writing – review & editing. Abraham A. Palmer: Project administration; Writing – review & editing. Sandra Sanchez-Roige: Project administration; Writing – review & editing. Irwin D. Waldman: Project administration; Writing – review & editing. Danielle Dick: Funding acquisition; Project administration; Writing – review & editing. Terrie E. Moffitt: Project administration; Resources; Writing – review & editing. Avshalom Caspi: Project administration; Resources; Writing – review & editing. K. Paige Harden: Conceptualization; Funding acquisition; Investigation; Methodology; Project administration; Resources; Supervision; Writing – original draft; Writing – review & editing.",
year = "2024",
month = aug,
day = "24",
doi = "10.1177/21677026241260260",
language = "English",
journal = "Clinical Psychological Science",
issn = "2167-7026",
publisher = "SAGE Publications",
}