Genes-in-Dyads: A Study of Relationship Quality

Abstract

Objectives: Using dyadic genetic information on older couples, this study queried associations of a polygenic score for well-being with one’s own as well as a partner’s relationship experiences. Method: Data were from the 2010 wave of the U.S. Health and Retirement Study. Analysis was through structural equation modeling. Results: Especially among women, the genetic score was associated with individuals’ own relationship experiences. Genetic externalities—linkages of one’s genes with a partner’s experiences—were also observed. No significant gender variations emerged. Discussion: Contrary to conceptions implicit in much of existing genetics literature—which focuses on individuals’ own gene–trait associations—the interpersonal environments most crucial to life course and health outcomes are shaped by the genes of all involved actors. Genetic externalities are a central component. Implications for the life course and gene–environment literatures are discussed.

Parenting is genetically influenced: What does that mean for research into child and adolescent social development?

“…The so‐called meta‐ or social genome received increasing attention in the past few years in research on peers’ genes effects on adolescent obesity (Brunello et al., 2020), smoking (Sotoudeh et al., 2017) and educational attainment (Domingue et al., 2018). There is also some evidence that one's partners’ genetic predisposition for educational attainment affects own health (Das, 2021b), and women's genetic predisposition for well‐being affects their partners’ perceptions of relationship support and strain (Das, 2021a). This mechanism essentially represents another form of evocative gene‐environment correlation where partner A's genes affect their traits and behaviours which might elicit behaviours in partner B.…”