Effect of the serotonin transporter gene and of environment on the continuity of anxiety and depression traits throughout adolescence

Aims.Many studies of various stress reactive phenotypes suggest that 5-HTTLPR short allele carriers (S-carriers) are characterised by the stable trait of negative affectivity that is converted to psychopathology only under conditions of stress. In this study, we examined the moderating role of the 5-HTTLPR on the relationship between two objective chronic risk factors, i.e. socioeconomic status (SES) and family structure, and internalising symptoms across adolescence.Methods.A multigroup path analysis was employed in a general adolescent population sample of a 5-year follow-up study.Results.Internalising problems were significantly more stable in theS-carriers. The focus on the main dimensi…