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V. Y. Vdovenko, V. A. Poznish, I. Ye. Kolpakov, M. V. Hurtavtsova, A. A. Chumak
State Institution «National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology of the
National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», 53 Yuriia Illienka St., Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine
ASSESSMENT OF THE IMTACT OF STRESS FACTORS AND VARIANTS OF POLYMORPHISM OF THE
5-HTTLPR GENE OF THE SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER (SLC6A4) ON ANXIETY IN CHILDREN IN WAR CONDITIONS
Introduction. The full-scale war in Ukraine has created unprecedented psychosocial stress for children, leading to
increased anxiety. An additional adverse factor may be living in radiation-contaminated areas. At the same time,
individual genetic vulnerability (5-HTTLPR polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene) can modulate the
response to chronic stress. This study aimed to determine how war and radiation stressors affect the level of trait
anxiety in children and whether this relationship is modulated by the 5-HTTLPR genotype.
Objective: to assess the interaction between war-related stress factors and variants of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism
of the serotonin transporter gene ( SLC6A4) on anxiety levels in school-age children.
Methods. A cross-sectional survey included 231 children aged 10–17 from three regions of Ukraine that had been
affected by military operations (some of the participants lived in radioactively contaminated areas). The questionnaire covered data on war stressors (forced displacement, occupation, frequency of air raid alerts, etc.) and psychometric scales, in particular STAI (trait ity anxiety). Genotyping of 5-HTTLPR was performed using allele-specific PCR.
The data were analysed using regression methods to assess associations and gene x environment (G x E) interactions.
Results. Children who experienced intense war stressors or were regularly exposed to air raid sirens had significantly higher levels of trait anxiety (p < 0.01). The strongest predictor of high anxiety was a high level of response to
air raid sirens (OR ≈ 31; p < 0.001). Living in a radiation control zone had no significant effect on anxiety (p = 0.48).
The effect of cumulative stress on anxiety was almost twice as strong in children carrying the S allele of 5-HTTLPR
than in those carrying the L/L genotype (G x E effect, p < 0.001).
Conclusions. Chronic war stressors significantly increase children’s anxiety levels, with genetically vulnerable individuals (carriers of the S allele of 5-HTTLPR) responding much more strongly to stress. The results emphasise the
need to take into account genetic factors in psychosocial assistance to children experiencing war, with a focus on
the most vulnerable (displaced persons, military families).
Key words: 5-HTTLPR; children and adolescents; trait anxiety; war stressors; genetic vulnerability; gene-environment interaction; radiation-contaminated territories.
Problems of Radiation Medicine and Radiobiology.
2025;30:372-397. doi: 10.33145/2304-8336-2025-30-372-397
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