Challenges in studying the interplay of genes and environment. A study of childhood financial distress moderating genetic predisposition for peak smoking.

ABSTRACT: Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death in the U.S., and it is strongly influenced both by genetic predisposition and childhood adversity. Using polygenic indices (PGIs) of predisposition to smoking, we evaluate whether childhood financial distress (CFD; a composite measure of financial adversity) moderates genetic risk in explaining peak-cigarette consumption in adulthood. Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we find a substantial reduction in the relationship between genetic risk and peak smoking for those who did not suffer financial adversity in childhood. Among adult smokers who grew up in high-CFD households, a one standard deviation higher PGI is associated with 2.9 more cigarettes smoked per day at peak. By contrast, among smokers who grew up i

SUBMITTER: Bierut L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10358858 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature