The study involved a sample of 1447 male and 2179 female. Finnish twins and their siblings. They used Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to assess childhood abuse experiences and Aggression Questionnaire to measure aggressive behavior in adolescence or adulthood.

MAOA gene is linked to antisocial behavior and delinquency, with previous studies suggesting that it may moderate the impact of childhood abuse on the development of aggression.

MAOA Genotype and childhood experience 

Rehan, W., Sandnabba, N. K., Johansson, A., Westberg, L., & Santtila, P. (2015). Effects of MAOA genotype and childhood experiences of physical and emotional abuse on aggressive behavior in adulthood. Nordic Psychology, 67(4), 301–312. https://doi.org/10.1080/19012276.2015.1026922



MAOA genotype 

MAOA Genotype study 

There was a positive correlation between childhood abuse experiences and later aggressive behavior both both men and women. 

MAOA gene and childhood abuse

For women, a 4-repeat allele of MAOA promoter polymorphism was associated with physically aggressive behavior 

For men, an interaction between the 3-repeat allele of MAOA promoter polymorphism and emotional abuse experience was observed, affecting aggressive behavior in women.

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