Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

That’s a powerful message:
Even when it comes to genes, social change can rewrite the story.

Genetics usually isn't destiny.

#Genetics #MentalHealth #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #ScienceThread #GenesAndEnvironment #PublicHealth

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

10/ If we improve those environments, reduce crime, strengthen communities, expand opportunities, those genetic associations would weaken, and might even vanish altogether.

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

9/ In other words: more children with depression-linked variants lived in more disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Those “depression genes” are connected to depression because they’re connected to environments that increase stress and risk.

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

8/ This pattern held even after controlling for family socioeconomic status and mental health history.

Neighborhood adversity was defined by lower average SES, higher crime, and fewer educational, health, and social resources.

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

7/ The study found that children with a higher polygenic score for depression (meaning a combination of many genetic variants linked to depression) tend to live in neighborhoods with greater social and economic adversity.

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

6/ Now for the self-congratulatory part 😅
My paper helped spark this kind of thinking and today I came across a new study that beautifully illustrates it.

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

5/ Here’s the key point:
If we change social attitudes toward body weight, those genetic associations with depression could simply disappear.

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

4/ That social experience can raise the risk of depression.
So, genetic variants associated with higher body weight may also appear linked to depression, not because they cause it biologically, but because they increase exposure to social stress.

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

3/ What does that mean?
Think of body weight.

In today’s culture, individuals with higher body weight, or what society labels as “overweight”, often face bullying or exclusion.

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

2/ Five years ago, I wrote a paper I was truly proud of.
I suggested that genetic variants linked to diseases or behaviors may be connected to them not only through biology, but also through social processes.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

The E is in the G: Gene-Environment-Trait Correlations and Findings from Genome-Wide Association Studies

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have shown that pleiotropy is widespread, with the same genetic variants affecting multiple traits, and that complex traits are polygenic, affected by many gene...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 9h

1/ Proud moment — a new paper confirms an idea I proposed five years ago 🧬✨

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
#mentalhealth #depression #adversity #SocialGenomics

Polygenic Scores for Depression are Associated with Indices of Neighborhood Adversity

Genome-wide association studies have allowed for the creation of polygenic scores (PGSs) reflecting genetic liability for depression, yet recent work suggests that these PGSs may also reflect greater ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

1

Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 27d

1/3 The TV series Adolescence dramatizes a terrifying question: how can the same parents raise children who turn out to be so different? The answer isn't in their shared home, but in the powerful, chaotic force I've been writing about: the "non-shared environment".
#science #parenting #development

1 1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 27d

I’ve explored this limit of parental influence in my recent posts. If you're intrigued by these bigger, messier questions, start with the link below and subscribe to join the conversation.

#NatureAndNurture #DevelopmentalScience

theparentingmyth.substack.com/p/the-non-sh...

The Non-Shared Environment (Part 2): Randomness Goes Deeper Than You Think

Last time, I wrote about how even identical twins become different—and how a large part of that difference is due to what scientists call the non-shared environment. In many cases, that means random e...

theparentingmyth.substack.com

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 27d

2/3 It’s the random moments and unique experiences that ensure no two children, even those who are genetically identical, ever live the same life, even under the same roof.

#ChildDevelopment #Genetics

1 1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · 27d

1/3 The TV series Adolescence dramatizes a terrifying question: how can the same parents raise children who turn out to be so different? The answer isn't in their shared home, but in the powerful, chaotic force I've been writing about: the "non-shared environment".
#science #parenting #development

1 1

Reposted by Reut Avinun, PhD

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · Aug 29

🧵 Thread: How parenting has evolved (and what the research tells us)
New findings reveal fascinating shifts in how we raise children—from declining authoritarianism to the rise of involved fathers 👇
#ParentingEvolution #ModernParenting #ParentingTips

1 1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · Aug 29

If this thread resonated with you, please share it and subscribe to
theparentingmyth.substack.com

#ParentingCommunity #EvidenceBasedParenting #ParentingSupport #ModernFamily #ParentingJourney #MomLife #DadLife #ParentingWisdom #FamilyFirst #ParentingEvolution

Debunking Parenting Myths | Reut Avinun, PhD | Substack

In Debunking Parenting Myths, I explore common misconceptions about topics like breastfeeding, screen time, and the impact of parenting on child development, all through the lens of the latest scienti...

theparentingmyth.substack.com

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · Aug 29

8/ Balance over perfection

Some concern may motivate thoughtful parenting, but constant anxiety doesn't serve anyone.

Taking care of your own mental health isn't separate from parenting—it's part of it.

Care, support, and love matter more than meeting impossible ideals.

#SelfCareIsParenting

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · Aug 29

7/ Today's pressures are historically specific

Screen time fears, college prep anxiety, school shooting concerns—these aren't universal parenting challenges.

They're products of our particular moment, culture, and country.
#ParentingAnxiety

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · Aug 29

6/ Context shapes parenting choices, which are influenced by:

💠Historical moment
💠Economic conditions
💠Cultural policies
💠Technology

We parent within our era's constraints.

#ParentingTruth

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · Aug 29

5/ Social changes reshape parenting:

💠Gender equality movements
💠Urbanization
💠Technology access
💠Paid leave policies
💠Global perspectives online

#SocialChange

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · Aug 29

4/ Demographics shape parenting styles:

💠Higher education → progressive attitudes

💠Lower income → authoritarian approaches

💠Religious importance → traditional methods

#ParentingScience

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · Aug 29

3/ Parents spend more time with kids despite working more (!!):
💠75% increase in reading to children (1975-2005)
💠More quality time with both parents
💠Dads taking bigger roles
#QualityTime

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · Aug 29

2/ Authoritarian parenting is declining

Physical punishment dropped significantly:
Sweden: 53% → 11% (after legal ban)

Kids have more voice in decisions
#GentleParenting

1

Reut Avinun, PhD @reutavinun.bsky.social · Aug 29

1/ Individualism vs. collectivism isn't either/or

A 9-country study: real differences happen within cultures, not between them.

Your traits matter more than cultural labels.
www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/10...
#ParentingMyths

www.mdpi.com

1