Oxytocin receptor gene ( OXTR ) is related to psychological resources

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1113137108
• Publication Date: 2011-09-07T02:38:14Z
• Authors: Shimon Saphire-Be...; Baldwin M. Way; Heejung S. Kim; David K. Sherman; Shelley E. Taylor
• Keywords: Oxytocin receptor; SNP

Psychological resources—optimism, mastery, and self-esteem—buffer the deleterious effects of stress are predictors neurophysiological psychological health-related outcomes. These resources have been shown to be highly heritable, yet genetic basis for this heritability remains unknown. Here, we report a link between oxytocin receptor ( OXTR ) SNP rs53576 resources, such that carriers “A” allele lower levels optimism, self-esteem, relative G/G homozygotes. was also associated with depressive symptomatology. Mediation analysis indicates on symptoms may largely mediated by influence resources.