Genetic Variation of the Serotonin Transporter Moderates the Socioeconomic Health Gradient Model Predicting Hypertension

Michael J. Shanahan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Shawn Bauldry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jason Freeman, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ross Macmillan, University of Minnesota
Richard Miech, University of Colorado at Denver

Genetic variation in the serotonin transporter (5HTT) is thought to influence reactivity to stressors and low social status. This study examines whether 5HTT moderates links in an SES-health gradient model predicting hypertension. Data come from Waves I and IV and the DNA subsample of Add Health. A multiple group comparison strategy was used to contrast the SES-health gradient model as applied to s-carriers and l/l-carriers. Consistent with expectations, results suggest that background experiences are more salient than later experiences. The effects of parental education, female status, African American status, and Hispanic status (reference=whites) were significantly different between the groups (in the expected directions). The respondent’s own education had a significantly greater protective effect among s-carriers. The effects of parental education and sex on respondent’s own SES also differed significantly. These results suggest that 5HTT moderates many links in the SES-health gradient model as applied to hypertension.