Risk heterogeneity and recurrent violent victimization: The role of DRD4

Citation

Daigle, Leah E. (2010). Risk heterogeneity and recurrent violent victimization: The role of DRD4. Biodemography and Social Biology. vol. 56 (2) pp. 137-149

Abstract

For some people, victimization comes with significant costs. One of these costs is the likelihood of being victimized a subsequent time. Unfortunately, research shows that a portion of victims do in fact experience more than one victimization. Although this likelihood has been established, the reasons why some people are victimized more than once are not fully understood. One explanation centers on individual risk factors that, if left unchanged, will increase risk of further victimization. Previously unstudied, however, are genetic factors that may place and keep a victim at risk, even after an initial victimization. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the current study addresses this gap. The findings reveal that there is in fact a genetic factor, the 7R allele of the DRD4 gene, that distinguishes individuals who have been victimized once from those who have been victimized multiple times.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080%2F19485565.2010.524095

Keyword(s)

Genetic

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Biodemography and Social Biology

Author(s)

Daigle, Leah E.

Year Published

2010

Volume Number

56

Issue Number

2

Pages

137-149

ISSN/ISBN

1948-5565

DOI

10.1080/19485565.2010.524095

Reference ID

1292