Effects of MAOA genotype and childhood experiences of physical and emotional abuse on aggressive behavior in adulthood

A functional polymorphism in the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene located on the X chromosome (Xp11.23-11.4) has earned the nickname &ldquo;warrior gene&rdquo; because of its association with antisocial behavior and delinquency. Previous findings on adults and adolescents have found some evidence that the&nbsp;MAOA&nbsp;gene moderates the impact of childhood abuse experiences on the risk of developing aggressive behavior. Thus far, however, attempts to replicate these findings have been mixed. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether the&nbsp;MAOA&nbsp;polymorphism affects aggressive behavior alone and in combination with childhood abuse experiences. We tried to replicate this using a sample of 1447 male and 2179 female Finnish twins and their siblings. In the present study, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and Aggression Questionnaire were used. There was a positive correlation between childhood abuse experiences and later aggressive behavior in adolescence or adulthood both for men and women. The results showed the effects of the 4-repeat allele of&nbsp;MAOA&nbsp;promoter polymorphism on physical aggressive behavior for women. It seems that there is an interaction between the 3-repeat allele of&nbsp;MAOA&nbsp;promoter polymorphism and emotional abuse experiences on aggressive behavior for women. In conclusions, this study, using a large population-based sample, found partial support for an interaction between&nbsp;MAOA&nbsp;genotype and childhood abuse experiences on aggressive behavior.</p

HIV in the leather community: Rates and risk-related behaviors

There exist many subcultures of men who have sex with men (MSM), all with differing values and health behaviors. The Leathermen comprise one such subculture, which is characterized by a heightened valuation of hypersexuality and adherence to sexual control dynamics (i.e., submission and dominance). No previous research has specifically examined this community for differences in sexual health (e.g., HIV rates) and sexual health behaviors (e.g., condom use). We conducted a large survey of men (N = 1,554) at one leather and non-leather event, collecting data from 655 Submissives, Dominants, Switches, and non-orienting Leathermen. Leathermen were 61% more likely to be HIV-positive than non-Leathermen. Decreased condom use found in HIV-positive Leathermen (relative to HIV-positive non-Leathermen) was a potential factor contributing to heightened HIV rates. Universal low condom use in Submissives engaging in receptive, and Dominants engaging in insertive, anal intercourse was an additional trend that potentially contributed to increased numbers of HIV-positive Leathermen. Our recommendation is for heightened awareness of the risks associated with sex among Leathermen, especially unprotected anal intercourse with sero-uncertain Submissives. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

Gender-Typed Play Behavior in Early Childhood: Adopted Children with Lesbian, Gay, and Heterosexual Parents

This study examined whether the gender-typed play of young children varies as a function of family structure. Using a sample of 126 couples (44 lesbian couples, 34 gay male couples, and 48 heterosexual couples) located throughout the United States, with an adopted child between the age of 2 and 4 years old (mean = 2.5 years), we examined parent reports of children’s gender-typed play behavior utilizing the Pre-School Activities Inventory (PSAI; Golombok & Rust, 1993). Findings revealed that the perceived play behaviors of boys and girls in same-gender parent families were more similar (i.e., less gender-stereotyped) than the perceived play behavior of boys and girls in heterosexual-parent families (which were more divergent; that is, gender-stereotyped). Sons of lesbian mothers were less masculine in their play behavior than sons of gay fathers and sons of heterosexual parents. Our findings have implications for researchers who study gender development in children and adolescents