
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Thesis Defended
Fall 2016
Document Type
Thesis
Type of Thesis
Departmental Honors
Department
Psychology & Neuroscience
First Advisor
Dr. Michael Stallings
Second Advisor
Dr. Heidi Day
Third Advisor
Dr. Alison Vigers
Abstract
Genetic factors contribute to risky sexual behavior (RSB) and evidence suggests dopamine plays a role. However, the specific genetic variants underlying genetic risk are not well understood. This research examines the influence of dopamine polymorphisms on RSB in an enriched sample: a community sample enriched with clinical patients selected for extreme antisocial behavior and drug abuse. Genetic variation was assessed in 11 genes involved in dopamine synthesis, transmission, termination, and expression regulation. A polygenic risk score (PRS) approach was used to investigate the combined effects of genetic variation across all 11 genes, and within functional subsets. However, since it is often difficult to separate genetic and environmental effects on human behavior, a biopsychosocial model was used with six contextual variables to investigate the extent to which they explain additional variance, and/or modify genetic effects. Together genetic and contextual variables accounted for about 17% of the variance in RSB. From this study evidence points to the importance of dopamine transmission genes as well as effects from impulsivity, attitudes toward deviance, and church attendance.
Recommended Citation
Rhoades, Kathryn Lorette, "Genetic and Contextual Influences on Risky Sexual Behavior: Dopamine Polymorphisms" (2016). Undergraduate Honors Theses. 1262.
https://scholar.colorado.edu/honr_theses/1262