The molecular genetics of life satisfaction: Extending findings from a recent genome-wide association study and examining the role of the serotonin transporter

Lachmann, Bernd; Doebler, Anna; Sindermann, Cornelia; Sariyska, Rayna; Cooper, Andrew; Haas, Heidrun and Montag, Christian. 2021. The molecular genetics of life satisfaction: Extending findings from a recent genome-wide association study and examining the role of the serotonin transporter. Journal of Happiness Studies, 22(1), pp. 305-322. ISSN 1389-4978 [Article]

[img]
Preview
Text
Lachmann et al 2020.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (837kB) | Preview

Abstract or Description

In a recent genome-wide association study (GWAS), three polymorphisms (rs3756290, RAPGEF6; rs2075677, CSE1L; rs4958581, NMUR2) were suggested as potentially being related to subjective-well-being and life satisfaction. Additionally, associations between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (serotonin transporter) and subjective well-being have been reported in other previous studies. In the current study, we therefore sought to further investigate the findings of the GWAS and examine the association between 5-HTTLPR and subjective well-being. A total of 1174 participants (821 females) were recruited and asked to provide information on their demographics, life satisfaction, and positive affect. All participants provided a genetic sample. We found associations between one SNP derived from the GWAS (rs4958581, NMUR2) and life satisfaction. We also replicated findings involving 5-HTTLPR and life satisfaction, but only for the housing, leisure and family life satisfaction variables, and not for overall life satisfaction or positive affect. Our study underlines that research investigating complex traits in the field of behavioral genetics is challenging due to their (a) pleiotropic and (b) polygenic effects, resulting in tiny effect sizes of each marker investigated. The current study also highlights the importance of investigating genetic markers of distinct areas of life satisfaction.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-020-00231-x

Keywords:

Subjective well-being, 5-HTTLPR, Polymorphism, rs4958581, NMUR2, Happiness

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Psychology

Dates:

DateEvent
6 February 2020Accepted
13 February 2020Published Online
January 2021Published

Item ID:

28196

Date Deposited:

17 Feb 2020 12:39

Last Modified:

26 Mar 2021 11:06

Peer Reviewed:

Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/28196

View statistics for this item...

Edit Record Edit Record (login required)