School Social Relations and Child Development: Gene-Environment Interplay

Brendgen M, Kretschmer T (2022)

Publication Type: Authored book

Publication year: 2022

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

ISBN: 9783031071096

Abstract

In the past, most theoretical perspectives on human development have focused on environmental causes of differences between children, but the consensus today is that genetic and environmental factors interact and reciprocally influence each other through gene-environment interplay. Most of the prior research has focused on genetic factors working together with family-related factors (e.g., socioeconomic status, parenting) or stressful life events and experiences (e.g., maltreatment) to explain differences in developmental outcomes. However, children spend many hours in educational settings interacting with peers and teachers who also can influence developmental adjustment and well-being. This chapter summarizes current knowledge about gene-and-school environment interplay among primary school-aged children through 12 years old (the average age that they transition to middle school), documenting relationship-based (i.e., teacher-child relationship, school friendships, peer acceptance and rejection, victimization) and context-based (e.g., school policies, classroom norms) factors as they pertain to child externalizing and internalizing symptoms. After describing gene-environment interplay mechanisms and genetic research methods, we present empirical examples of gene-and-school environment interplay that contributes to variation in child maladjustment. We conclude with a discussion of implications for theory, practice, and future directions in genetically informed research on the association between social relations in school and child development.

Involved external institutions

Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

Canada (CA) University of Groningen / Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Brendgen, M., & Kretschmer, T. (2022). School Social Relations and Child Development: Gene-Environment Interplay. Springer International Publishing.

MLA:

Brendgen, Mara, and Tina Kretschmer. School Social Relations and Child Development: Gene-Environment Interplay. Springer International Publishing, 2022.

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