Gene-Environment Interactions in Irrational Beliefs: The Roles of Childhood Adversity and Multiple Candidate Genes

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the view that maladaptive thinking is the causal mechanism of mental disorders. While this view is supported by extensive evidence, very limited work has addressed the factors that contribute to the development of maladaptive thinking. The present study aimed to uncover interactions between childhood maltreatment and multiple genetic differences in irrational beliefs. Childhood maltreatment and irrational beliefs were assessed using multiple self-report instruments in a sample of healthy volunteers (N = 452). Eighteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in six candidate genes related to neurotransmitter function (COMT; SLC6A4; OXTR), neurotrophic factors (BDNF), and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (NR3C1; CRHR1). Gene-environment interactions (G×E) were first explored in models that employed one measure of childhood maltreatment and one measure of irrational beliefs. These effects were then followed up in models in which either the childhood maltreatment measure, the irrational belief measure, or both were substituted by parallel measures. Consistent results across models indicated that childhood maltreatment was positively associated with irrational beliefs, and these relations were significantly influenced by COMT rs165774 and OXTR rs53576. These results remain preliminary until independent replication, but they represent the best available evidence to date on G×E in a fundamental mechanism of psychopathology.

Keywords: childhood maltreatment; genetic; maladaptive thinking; psychopathology.

Figure 1

Models investigating the relations between childhood maltreatment, genotypes, and irrational beliefs: (A) initial models with CTQ-SF childhood maltreatment and ABS-2 irrational beliefs; (B) follow-up models with CTQ-SF childhood maltreatment and GABS irrational beliefs; (C) follow-up models with RFQ childhood maltreatment and ABS-2 irrational beliefs; and (D) follow-up models with RFQ childhood maltreatment and GABS irrational beliefs. Gray boxes indicate measures that were replaced relative to the initial models. Abbreviations: CTQ-SF, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire—Short Form; ABS-2, Attitude and Belief Scale-2; GABS, General Attitudes and Belief Scale; RFQ, Risky Families Questionnaire.

Figure 2

The moderator role of COMT rs165774 in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and irrational beliefs, as reflected by different measures: (A) CTQ-SF childhood maltreatment and ABS-2 irrational beliefs; (B) CTQ-SF childhood maltreatment and GABS irrational beliefs; (C) RFQ childhood maltreatment and ABS-2 irrational beliefs; and (D) RFQ childhood maltreatment and GABS irrational beliefs. Abbreviations: CTQ-SF, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire—Short Form; ABS-2, Attitude and Belief Scale-2; GABS, General Attitudes and Belief Scale; RFQ, Risky Families Questionnaire.

Figure 3

The moderator role of OXTR rs53576 in the relationship between childhood maltreatment and irrational beliefs, as reflected by different measures: (A) CTQ-SF childhood maltreatment and GABS irrational beliefs; (B) RFQ childhood maltreatment and ABS-2 irrational beliefs; and (C) RFQ childhood maltreatment and GABS irrational beliefs. Abbreviations: CTQ-SF, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire—Short Form; ABS-2, Attitude and Belief Scale-2; GABS, General Attitudes and Belief Scale; RFQ, Risky Families Questionnaire.