Interaction Between COMT Gene Polymorphisms And Childhood Trauma In Adolescents With Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Objectives:To investigate the association between five subtypes of childhood trauma and non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI)in adolescents,to explore the interaction between COMT gene polymorphism and childhood trauma in adolescents with NSSI,to provide theoretical evidence for prevention and intervention of NSSI among adolescents.Methods:A total of 84 adolescents with NSSI and 87 healthy controls(HCs)were included,and COMT gene polymorphism(rs4680,rs165599)were genotyped through oral saliva.Psychological assessments such as the childhood trauma questionnaire(CTQ),the behavioral function assessment scale of non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents,the patient health questionnaire-9 items(PHQ-9)were administered.Hierarchical linear regression analysis was used to examine the main and interactive effects of COMT gene polymorphism(rs4680,rs165599)and childhood trauma on NSSI.The Johnson-Neyman method(Hayes,2013)was applied to identify the regions where the moderating variable had a significant impact.When the moderating effect was observed for the first time,it was divided into high and low groups.Finally,a two-way analysis of covariance(TwoWay ANCOVA)was used to determine the direction of interactions.Results:(1)Scores of childhood abuse(emotional abuse,physical abuse,sexual abuse)were significantly higher in the NSSI group than in the HCs group,and there was a significant positive correlation between childhood abuse and NSSI.(2)Interaction of COMT gene polymorphism rs165599 and childhood emotional neglect(subscale of CTQ)could predict NSSI in adolescents.NSSI scores of adolescents with rs165599 G/G polymorphism in the high affective neglect group were significantly higher than those in the low affective neglect group.Among adolescents with rs165599 A allele,there was no significant difference in NSSI scores between the high affective neglect group and the low affective neglect group.Conclusions:(1)Childhood abuse is more likely to be associated with NSSI than childhood neglect.(2)Adolescents with the G/G genotype of COMT rs165599 has an increased vulnerability to NSSI when they experienced high emotional neglect.