Polygenic Predisposition, Substance-Free Parenting, Gene-Environment Compound Forces and Their Associations with Depression Trajectories from Middle to Late Adulthood

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Depression has a genetic component, and recent advances in polygenic scores (PGSs) offer a tool to explore its multifactorial nature. However, few studies have examined the association between PGSs and longitudinal depression trajectories. The Life Course Health Development framework emphasizes the long-term effects of early environmental exposures, yet few population-level studies have integrated genetic and environmental factors, such as polygenic predisposition and childhood parental behaviors, to assess their impact on depression over time.</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">This study explores the combined effects of polygenic predisposition and substance-free parenting on depression trajectories from middle to late adulthood. Specifically, it will use data from HRS to: (1) Examine the relationship between PGSs and depressive symptom trajectories; (2) Investigate the role of substance-free parenting in mitigating depression trajectories; and (3) Investigate Gene-Environment interactions in shaping depression growth curves across the life course.</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;">Hypotheses and Implications: Both genetic factors and early family environments may contribute to shaping mental health trajectories over the life course. Targeted interventions that educate parents to support parents in abstaining from alcohol and substance use, especially among individuals with a high genetic risk, may be beneficial for lifelong mental health.</span>