The Role of Social Environment and Gene Interactions on Development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Among 590 hurricane-exposed Floridians, the serotonin transporter genotype, 5-HTTLPR, was associated with decreased risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in county-level low-risk environments (low crime/unemployment rates) but increased PTSD in county-level high-risk environments (Koenen et al., 2009). These results suggest genetic vulnerability to PTSD may be affected by environmental settings. The current study replicates Koenen’s by examining if genetic vulnerability is affected by recovery environment among 55 female sexual assault survivors. It was hypothesized that the s’ allele of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism would evidence fewer PTSD symptoms among those in low-risk environments, and, conversely, increased PTSD symptoms among those in highrisk environments. The D2 dopamine receptor gene DRD2 (rs6277 and rs6279) and the FKBP5 (rs3800373 and rs1360780) gene regions were also explored. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that while none of the five gene regions yielded statistically significant results predictive of PTSD, trends for the interaction between the 5-HTTLPR region of SLC6A and environment in predicting probable PTSD were inconsistent with results observed in previous studies. It is unclear to what extent genetic characteristics of the 5-HTTLPR region of SLC6A4 influence PTSD outcomes when considering social environment. Future studies should consider alternative group-level settings among other traumaexposed populations. Susan Drevo Elana Newman Katherine E. Miller Joanne L. Davis Christy Craig Robert J. Sheaff William Potter The University of Tulsa Institute of Trauma Adversity and iNjustice, Tulsa Oklahoma Kathy Bell Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa Oklahoma Journal of Articles in Support of the Null Hypothesis Vol. 12, No. 2 Copyright 2016 by Reysen Group. 1539-8714