Genetic effects on male sexual coercion

A Johansson, Pekka Santtila, N Harlaar, von der Pahlen B, K Witting, M Algars, K Alanko, Patrik Jern, M Varjonen, Kenneth Sandnabba

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The genetic and environmental influences on sexual coercion, and to what extent its associations with alcohol use and psychopathy depend on shared genetic and environmental effects, were explored in a Finnish population-based sample of 938 men, aged 33-43 years, using the classical twin study design. All three phenotypes were associated positively and affected by genes (sexual coercion 28%, alcohol use 60%, psychopathy 54%), with 46% of the correlation between sexual coercion and psychopathy, 89% of the correlation between alcohol use and psychopathy and 100% of the correlation between sexual coercion and alcohol use being explained by shared genetic effects. Further, the results showed that a proportion of the variance in sexual coercion was derived from a highly genetic source that was common with alcohol use and psychopathy. This latent factor was hypothesized to reflect a general tendency for antisocial behavior that is pervasive across different situations. Relevant theories on sexual coercion were discussed in light of the results.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)190–202
JournalAggressive Behavior
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2008
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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