5-HTTLPR status moderates the effect of early adolescent substance use on risky sexual behavior.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

A longitudinal, prospective design was used to investigate a moderation effect in the association between early adolescent substance use and risky sexual behavior 2 years later. A genetic vulnerability factor, a variable nucleotide repeat polymorphism (VNTR) in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4, known as 5-HTTLPR, was hypothesized to moderate the link between substance use at age 14 and risky sexual behavior at age 16. This VNTR has been associated with risk-taking behavior.

Design

African American youths in rural Georgia (N = 185) provided 2 waves of data on their substance use and sexual behavior. Genetic data were obtained via saliva samples.

Main outcome measures

Substance use and sexual risk behavior were assessed using youth

SUBMITTER: Kogan SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3756608 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature