Chiao and Blizinsky (2010)

Uses: culture, genes, depression/mental illness

 

Aim: to investigate a correlation between culture, genes and depression.

 

Examine the association between cultural values of individualism-collectivism and allelic frequency of the serotonin transporter functional polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) as well as the role of this culture-gene association may play in explaining global variability in prevalence of pathogens and affective disorders.

 

 

Background:

Genes can affect cultures, why certain countries have a higher rate of depression?

5 HTT according to Caspi is more likely to be depressed.

Collectivists are more likely to have a short allele for 5HTT, and fewer people with depression?

Negative correlation between 5HTT and collectivism.

 Collectivist cultural value protects people from mood disorder.

 Prevalence: the total number or percentage of cases (e.g., of a disease or disorder) existing in a population, either at a given point in time (point prevalence) or during a specified period (period prevalence).

 

 

CORRELATIONAL STUDY

 Procedure:

  • 29 countires, cross cultural.

  • 5HTT serotonin transporter genes (short and long allels)

  • Collectivism vs individualism

  • 70-80% of Asian individualist have short allele.

  • 40-45% of individuals in Europe and America have short allele.

 

Results:

  • Collectivist countries such as East Asia where 80% of the population is genetically susceptible to depression, carry the SHORT ALLELE.

BUT- the collectivist nature acts as a buffer "cultural values buffer genetically susceptible populations from increased prevalence of affective disorders." -> prevalence rate is significantly lower than in individualist nations such as USA and Western Europe.

 

Cultural values buffer genetically susceptible populations from increased prevalence of affective disorders.