The finding that people with one type of serotonin transporter gene and childhood maltreatment had higher rates of depression than either those without the gene or those with the gene without the maltreatment suggests that ________
A) childhood maltreatment causes depression.
B) only one type of gene causes depression.
C) the diathesis-stress model is unlikely.
D) the diathesis-stress model is likely.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The finding supports the diathesis-stress model, which suggests that genetic vulnerability (diathesis) interacts with environmental stressors (such as childhood maltreatment) to increase the risk of depression. Therefore, the presence of the gene alone is not sufficient to cause depression, but rather interacts with environmental factors.

The Finding That People with One Type of Serotonin Transporter