Final answer:
The intervention study by Brody et al. (2009) found that B. the intervention had an impact on boys with a short allele of the 5-HTTLPR gene, indicating the importance of genetics in the success of interventions aimed at improving family communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
An intervention study conducted by Brody et al. (2009) explored how family communication and cohesion between parents and their sons could be improved and found that genetics played a role in the efficiency of the intervention. Specifically, this study focused on a particular gene known as the serotonin transporter gene, or 5-HTTLPR, which is understood to play a role in mood regulation and has been linked to depression in the presence of environmental stressors.
Researchers found that the intervention had a differential impact based on the genetic makeup of the participants. The result was that the intervention had an impact on boys with a short allele of the 5-HTTLPR gene. This outcome aligns with other research which indicates that individuals with the short allele variant may be more susceptible to environmental influences, making them potentially more responsive to interventions aimed at improving family dynamics.
Understanding the interplay between genetics and environment — particularly in therapeutic or intervention settings — underscores the concept that while genes provide a biological framework, it is the environmental interaction with these genetic predispositions that shapes behavioral outcomes.
Key Findings Summarized: