Developmental Programming of Attachment: a G x E Model

This study aims to use novel methods to test prenatal programming of attachment, including continuous and multidimensional attachment scales, and polygenic scores (PGSs) for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychiatric problems, and environmental sensitivity to approximate temperament. Data from 260 European descents mother-child dyads were obtained from a prospective birth cohort study. The results show that genetic predisposition to environmental sensitivity predicted both secure and non-secure attachment at 36 months, while PGSs for ADHD and psychiatric problems predicted avoidant behaviors. Cumulative genetic profile with all three PGSs trended towards significance in interacting with prenatal maternal affective symptoms to predict avoidant behaviors according to a vantage-sensitivity pattern.