Polygenic Predisposition, Childhood Protective Environment, and Mental Health Trajectories from Middle to Late Adulthood: A National GxE Study

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Scarce research has examined the mechanisms linking genetic factors and family environments to lifelong development. </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">This study investigated the interplay between depression polygenic scores (G) and protective childhood family environments (E) for mental health trajectories from middle to late adulthood. </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">We utilized samples from the longitudinal study, HRS (the Health Retirement Study 1994-2020), and estimated mixed models of depression trajectories. We test the hypotheses that genetic predisposition and multifaceted family environments are interconnected as cooperating compound forces to diverge depression trajectories across the life course. When only one favorable condition (either G or E) is present, highly nurturing family environments may better foster children&rsquo;s lifelong development, compared to low genetic plasticity. </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Implications: Early interventions that cultivate young people may benefit their lifetime health, with those vulnerable to high genetic risk reaping the greatest benefits.</span>