DRD2 Taq IA Polymorphism Interacts with Parenting in Predicting Creativity: Evidence of Differential Susceptibility

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the interactive effect of Dopamine D2 receptor gene Taq 1A (DRD2 rs1800497) and parental behavior on creativity and examined whether a potential gene–parenting interaction (G × E) would be consistent with one of two models of gene–environment interplay (diathesis-stress vs. differential susceptibility). In a sample of university undergraduates (N = 517), we found evidence of G × E between the DRD2 TaqIA polymorphism and perceived maternal overprotection behavior, but not maternal care, with regard to creativity. Confirmatory model indicates that this interaction effect conformed to the differential susceptibility, rather than diathesis-stress model. Thus, individuals with A1A1 genotype of the DRD2 gene are more creative than A2 carriers when their mothers were less involved in overprotection but less creative under condition of high maternal overprotection. No significant interaction of DRD2 TaqIA polymorphism and paternal behavior was found. Our findings provide initial evidence for the differential susceptibility model in the field of creativity, suggesting DRD2 TaqIA polymorphism may operate as a “plasticity gene.” Further studies need to test these effects.

Disclosure statement

We declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Funding

The present study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 31470999 and 31771235), MOE (Ministry of Education in China) Project of Humanities and Social Sciences (Grant No. 16YJC190030), Science and Technology Projects of Shandong Province (China; Grant No. ZR2014CQ017), Research Center of Qilu Culture (Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China).