Genetic Correlates of Behavioral Self-Control: COMT and DRD2 Associations with Self-Regulation, Reflection and Meaningfulness of life in Women

Abstract

The objective of our study was to investigate the genetic predictors of self-regulation and related characteristics indicative of a higher level of rational behavior control. The study 107 female participants aged between 22 and 52 years, with an average age of 33.5 years (Russian Federation). In order to measure level of self-regulation and other characteristics corresponding to a higher level of rational behavioral control the following psychological tests were employed: the “Differential Type of Reflection” questionnaire (Leontyev D.A.), the “Style of Self-Regulation of Behavior” questionnaire (Morosanova, Kholopova, 1995), and the Test of Life-Meaning Orientations (D.A. Leontyeva, 1988). Genotyping was use to examine polymorphisms of the COMT, DRD2 genes. Our findings demonstrate significant differences in the level of systemic reflection among carriers of different genotypes of the DRD2 and COMT genes. The highest level of systemic reflection in carriers of the CC genotype for the DRD2 gene and a heterozygous variant of the COMT gene suggests a balance between the elevated dopaminergic activity characteristic of the CC DRD2 genotype and moderate COMT activity, fostering optimal dopamine metabolism.

Keywords

• behavioral self-control
• rational behavior
• self-regulation
• reflection
• gene polymorphism
• COMT