The Interactive Role of Genes by Social Correlates in Propensity to Addictive Behaviors: A Pilot Study in Hong Kong

Nicole W.T. CHEUNG (Presenter), Stephen Kwok Wing TSUI (Presenter), Xi CHEN, Hua ZHONG (Presenter), Leon Mai SHI (Presenter)

Research output: Other Conference ContributionsPresentation

Abstract

Although prior reports have shown lower population rates of alcohol and drug abuse in China than those reported in USA and most of Western Europe, there have been sharp increases in both substance and behavioral addictions among Chinese in recent decades. While previous sociological literature has identified various social correlates of addictive behaviors among the Chinese, relatively little is known about the role of genetic factors in addiction among the Chinese. Guided by the differential susceptibility to context model, this study examines how social correlates interact with genetic factors in predicting the propensity to addictive behaviors, including smoking, alcohol abuse, gambling disorder and Internet addiction, in Chinese population. As a recently developed framework, the model of differential susceptibility to context posits that some individuals are genetically predisposed to be more susceptible than others to a range of environmental influence, whether that social environment is adverse or supportive. This approach, which claims that some individuals are programmed by their genes to be more responsive to their environments, is of particular significance to sociologists concerned with formulating models of the manner in which the social environment impacts health risk behaviors. The sample is formed by 400 young male adults aged between 18 and 30 in Hong Kong. This study conducted a community-based survey of the male participants, and collected their saliva samples to extract their DNA.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event2017 Hong Kong Sociological Association Annual Meeting - , Hong Kong
Duration: 9 Dec 20179 Dec 2017

Conference

Conference2017 Hong Kong Sociological Association Annual Meeting
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
Period9/12/179/12/17

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