Original Article
Psychological distress following marital separation interacts with a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene to predict cardiac vagal control in the laboratory
Karen Hasselmo,
David A. Sbarra,
Mary-Frances O'Connor,
Francisco A. Moreno,
Corresponding Author
Karen Hasselmo
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Address correspondence to: Karen Hasselmo, 1503 E. University Blvd., Bldg. #68., Rm. 312, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0068, USA. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDavid A. Sbarra
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMary-Frances O'Connor
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Search for more papers by this authorFrancisco A. Moreno
Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKaren Hasselmo,
David A. Sbarra,
Mary-Frances O'Connor,
Francisco A. Moreno,
Corresponding Author
Karen Hasselmo
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Address correspondence to: Karen Hasselmo, 1503 E. University Blvd., Bldg. #68., Rm. 312, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0068, USA. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDavid A. Sbarra
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Search for more papers by this authorMary-Frances O'Connor
Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Search for more papers by this authorFrancisco A. Moreno
Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Search for more papers by this authorThis study was supported in part by grants (AG#036895; AG#028454) from the National Institute on Aging to DAS. We wish to thank Grace Larson for her assistance initiating data collection and to the staff of the UA Genomics Core for providing vital technical assistance.
Abstract
Marital separation is linked to negative mental and physical health; however, the strength of this link may vary across people. This study examined changes in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), used to assess cardiac vagal control, in recently separated adults (N = 79; M time since separation = 3.5 months). When reflecting on the separation, self-reported psychological distress following the separation interacted with a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) and a relevant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs25531, to predict RSA. Among people reporting emotional difficulties after the separation, those who were homozygous for the short allele had lower RSA levels while reflecting on their relationship than other genotypes. The findings, although limited by the relatively small sample size, are discussed in terms of how higher-sensitivity genotypes may interact with psychological responses to stress to alter physiology.
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