Comparing the Genetic Architecture of Childhood Aggression Across Socioeconomic Strata in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom

The aim of the present study was to examine whether the genetic architecture of childhood aggression varies across socioeconomic strata in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. We analyzed data from 7-year-old twins from the... [ view full abstract ]

The aim of the present study was to examine whether the genetic architecture of childhood aggression varies across socioeconomic strata in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. We analyzed data from 7-year-old twins from the Netherlands Twin Register (N = 24,112) and the Twins Early Development Study (N = 19,644). The results revealed a moderation effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to individual differences in childhood aggression. The heritability was higher, the contribution of the shared environment was lower, and the contribution of the nonshared environment was higher, for children from high SES families, compared to children from low or medium SES families. The pattern was similar for Dutch and UK families. We discuss the importance of these findings for prevention and intervention goals.