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Genetic associations with parental investment from conception to wealth inheritance in six cohorts

Author

Listed:
  • Jasmin Wertz

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Terrie E. Moffitt

    (Duke University
    King’s College London
    University of Oslo
    Duke University)

  • Louise Arseneault

    (King’s College London)

  • J. C. Barnes

    (University of Cincinnati)

  • Michel Boivin

    (Laval University)

  • David L. Corcoran

    (University of North Carolina)

  • Andrea Danese

    (King’s College London
    King’s College London
    National and Specialist CAMHS Clinic for Trauma, Anxiety and Depression, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust)

  • Robert J. Hancox

    (University of Otago)

  • HonaLee Harrington

    (Duke University)

  • Renate M. Houts

    (Duke University)

  • Stephanie Langevin

    (Duke University
    Laval University)

  • Hexuan Liu

    (University of Cincinnati
    University of Cincinnati)

  • Richie Poulton

    (University of Otago)

  • Karen Sugden

    (Duke University
    Duke University)

  • Peter T. Tanksley

    (University of Texas at Austin
    University of Texas at Austin)

  • Benjamin S. Williams

    (Duke University
    Duke University)

  • Avshalom Caspi

    (Duke University
    King’s College London
    University of Oslo
    Duke University)

Abstract

Genetic inheritance is not the only way parents’ genes may affect children. It is also possible that parents’ genes are associated with investments into children’s development. We examined evidence for links between parental genetics and parental investments, from the prenatal period through to adulthood, using data from six population-based cohorts in the UK, US and New Zealand, together totalling 36,566 parents. Our findings revealed associations between parental genetics—summarized in a genome-wide polygenic score—and parental behaviour across development, from smoking in pregnancy, breastfeeding in infancy, parenting in childhood and adolescence, to leaving a wealth inheritance to adult children. Effect sizes tended to be small at any given time point, ranging from RR = 1.12 (95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.09, 1.15) to RR = 0.76 (95%CI 0.72, 0.80) during the prenatal period and infancy; β = 0.07 (95%CI 0.04, 0.11) to β = 0.29 (95%CI 0.27, 0.32) in childhood and adolescence, and RR = 1.04 (95%CI 1.01, 1.06) to RR = 1.11 (95%CI 1.07, 1.15) in adulthood. There was evidence for accumulating effects across development, ranging from β = 0.15 (95%CI 0.11, 0.18) to β = 0.23 (95%CI 0.16, 0.29) depending on cohort. Our findings are consistent with the interpretation that parents pass on advantages to offspring not only via direct genetic transmission or purely environmental paths, but also via genetic associations with parental investment from conception to wealth inheritance.

Suggested Citation

  • Jasmin Wertz & Terrie E. Moffitt & Louise Arseneault & J. C. Barnes & Michel Boivin & David L. Corcoran & Andrea Danese & Robert J. Hancox & HonaLee Harrington & Renate M. Houts & Stephanie Langevin &, 2023. "Genetic associations with parental investment from conception to wealth inheritance in six cohorts," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 7(8), pages 1388-1401, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:7:y:2023:i:8:d:10.1038_s41562-023-01618-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01618-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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