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Burt CH. Polygenic scores for social science: Clarification, consensus, and controversy. Behav Brain Sci 2023; 46:e232. [PMID: 37694994 PMCID: PMC10723835 DOI: 10.1017/s0140525x23000845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
In this response, I focus on clarifying my arguments, highlighting consensus, and addressing competing views about the utility of polygenic scores (PGSs) for social science. I also discuss an assortment of expansions to my arguments and suggest alternative approaches. I conclude by reiterating the need for caution and appropriate scientific skepticism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callie H Burt
- Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, Center for Research on Interpersonal Violence (CRIV), Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA ; www.callieburt.org
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Ssewanyana D, Newton CR, van Baar A, Hassan AS, Stein A, Taylor HG, Van De Vijver F, Scerif G, Abubakar A. Beyond Their HIV Status: the Occurrence of Multiple Health Risk Behavior Among Adolescents from a Rural Setting of Sub-Saharan Africa. Int J Behav Med 2020; 27:426-443. [PMID: 32215858 PMCID: PMC7359141 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-020-09877-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Health risk behaviors during adolescence may cluster into patterns that might be predicted by specific factors, among which HIV may have an important role. Method In a cross-sectional study conducted between 2017 and 2018, clustering of HRB and its associated factors was investigated in rural Kenya among 588 adolescents (36% perinatally HIV infected; 28% perinatally HIV exposed but uninfected; and 36% HIV unexposed/uninfected). Latent class analysis of 22 behaviors followed by multinomial logistic regression were conducted. Four risk behavior classes were identified. Results No significant differences were found in behavioral class membership across the three HIV groups (p = 0.366). The risk of membership to the higher risk behavioral classes relative to class 1 (the substance and drug abstinent low risk takers) increased with older adolescent age (p = 0.047), increased among adolescent who experienced mental distress (p < 0.001), and those who felt unsafe in their neighborhood (p < 0.002). Better working memory (p = 0.0037) was found to be protective. Conclusion The results highlight a need to include screening and interventions for internalizing mental health problems and deficits in executive functioning, as well as steps to involve family members and communities to address psychosocial risk factors in adolescents in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derrick Ssewanyana
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya.
- Utrecht Centre for Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Charles R Newton
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anneloes van Baar
- Utrecht Centre for Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Amin S Hassan
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
| | - Alan Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - H Gerry Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Biobehavioral Health, Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Fons Van De Vijver
- Department of Culture Studies, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Gaia Scerif
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Amina Abubakar
- Centre for Geographic Medicine Research Coast, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P. O Box 230, Kilifi, 80108, Kenya
- Utrecht Centre for Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
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