The moderating role of COMT Val158Met polymorphism in the relation between maternal rearing style and loneliness: implications for mental health

Loneliness is a common problem in adulthood, with deleterious effects on mental health conditions. In the present study, we aimed to examine the predictors of loneliness, with a focus on genetic factors (COMT genotype) and maternal rearing style, and further consider how loneliness moderates the relationship between maternal rearing style and adult’s mental health. The present results showed that COMT genotype significantly moderated the relationship between maternal rejection and loneliness, while only individuals who perceived reject from their mothers and carried Val/Val genotype were at increased risk for developing loneliness. When considering the moderated mediation model, current findings demonstrated that COMT genotype moderated the indirect effects of maternal reject and social anxiety as well as life satisfaction, and these effects are significant cross-age. Specifically, with Val/Val genotype, individuals who received a high rejection from the mother would influence their mental health through loneliness. These findings contribute to a further understanding of the environmental and genetic basis of loneliness and its influence on adulthood.