A new study led by Virginia Commonwealth University and Rutgers University reveals that romantic partners can significantly influence an individual’s genetic risk for alcohol misuse, underscoring the importance of partner traits in health outcomes.
A collaborative study led by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and Rutgers University has unveiled crucial insights into how romantic relationships significantly affect an individual’s genetic propensity for alcohol misuse. Published on May 5 in Clinical Psychological Science, the study highlights the intersection of romantic partners’ habits, personality traits and mental health on a person’s likelihood to engage in binge drinking.
“This research sheds new light on the complicated and unforeseen ways that spouses and long-term partners can shape our health and well-being,” Mallory Stephenson, a postdoctoral fellow at the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics within the VCU School of Medicine, said in a news release.
Stephenson co-led the study with Jessica E. Salvatore, who was previously at VCU and is now an associate professor of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Genetic Risks and Environments
While genetics account for approximately 50% of an individual’s risk for developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) and associated risky drinking behaviors, the study reveals how environmental factors — especially the traits of long-term partners — can either mitigate or exacerbate this predisposition.
“For example, if a person has a high genetic risk for alcohol use disorder and experiences a traumatic event, such as the death of a close relative or exposure to a natural disaster, their biology could play more of a role in whether or not they develop an alcohol problem in response to that stressor,” Stephenson said. “However, if that person isn’t experiencing anything stressful in their life, their genetic risk may not have as much influence on their drinking behavior.”
Influence of Romantic Partners
The research builds on previous VCU-led studies that found being in a relationship can reduce the likelihood of frequent drinking and intoxication for those genetically predisposed to risky alcohol behavior.
This new study delves deeper to identify specific partner traits that influence drinking behavior.
The researchers drew data from the FinnTwin16 study, a longitudinal study of twins in Finland. They analyzed survey responses from 1,620 twins and their partners, focusing on drinking habits, smoking, personality characteristics and mental health.
“By studying fraternal twins, which share 50% of their genetic makeup, and identical twins, which share 100% of their genetic makeup, we can gain insights into how genetic and environmental factors interact with each other and play a role in developing certain behaviors,” added Stephenson.
Findings and Implications
The study confirmed that individuals in early midlife are likelier to consume alcohol and binge drink if their partners have frequent drinking or smoking habits.
Interestingly, the team uncovered that genetic risk for binge drinking is more pronounced in persons whose partners exhibit higher smoking frequency, lower conscientiousness, higher extroversion, or increased neuroticism or psychological distress.
Surprisingly, the heritability of binge drinking appeared to have less effect when partners reported more frequent alcohol use, which shifted the research team’s focus on understanding environmental influences.
“We didn’t expect to see this result; however, we think this could mean that the drinking behavior of romantic partners could have a larger effect on a person’s environmental influences rather than their genetic influences,” Stephenson added.
Clinical Applications
The findings have practical implications for couples therapy and interventions targeting alcohol misuse, emphasizing not just relationship dynamics but also the personal characteristics of each partner.
“Even if you have a good relationship with your partner, this research shows that their substance use, personality traits and mental health can still have an impact on you,” added Stephenson.
Future Research
The researchers are now exploring how relationship dynamics and parenthood might further influence an individual’s drinking patterns.
Funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the Academy of Finland, this study offers a new lens to understand the complexities of genetic and environmental interplay in alcohol consumption behaviors.
Source: Virginia Commonwealth University