A two-sample study on the relationship between polygenic risk score of serotonergic polymorphisms and social phobia: Interpersonal adaptability as a mediator

Backgrounds: The influence of serotonin function on social phobia has been well-documented, yet the polygenic risk score of serotonergic polymorphisms for social phobia remains unclear.

Methods: We assessed two aspects of social phobia (i.e., social interaction anxiety and social phobia scrutiny fear) and created a polygenic risk score of seven serotonergic polymorphisms in two independent samples.

Results: The results from both samples indicated that a greater polygenic risk score, denoting a higher risk of anxiety, was associated with higher levels of social interaction anxiety and social phobia scrutinizing fear. Interestingly, the association between polygenic risk score and social interaction anxiety was mediated by interpersonal adaptability.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the importance of serotonergic polymorphisms in social phobia and unveil a psychological pathway whereby interpersonal adaptability mediates the effect of serotonergic polymorphisms on social phobia.