The Effect of Peer Relationships on Adolescent Loneliness: The Role of Psychological Resilience and the OXTR Gene

Background: Based on the gene-environment interaction paradigm, this study explored the effect of peer relationships on adolescent loneliness and the role of psychological resilience and the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR). Methods: A survey was conducted in a sample of 619 adolescents, and their oral cells were collected for DNA extraction and genotyping. Results: The results showed that (1) both peer relationships and psychological resilience significantly affected adolescent loneliness; (2) psychological resilience partially mediated the relationship between peer relationships and loneliness in adolescents; (3) OXTR gene rs53576 polymorphism moderated both the first and second half of the indirect pathway of the mediation model. Specifically, carriers of the rs53576 polymorphism A/A genotype showed a significantly enhanced effect of peer relationships on adolescent psychological resilience, while carriers of the rs53576 polymorphism G/G genotype showed a significantly enhanced effect of psychological resilience on adolescent loneliness. Conclusion: These findings helped elucidate the developmental mechanisms of adolescent loneliness in terms of peer relationships, psychological resilience, and OXTR gene polymorphisms. Plain Language Summary: A moderated mediation effects analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of peer relationships on adolescent loneliness and the role of psychological resilience and the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR). The results revealed psychological resilience partially mediated the relationship between peer relationships and loneliness in adolescents; OXTR gene rs53576 polymorphism moderated both the first and second half of the indirect pathway of the mediation model. These findings helped elucidate the developmental mechanisms of adolescent loneliness in terms of peer relationships, psychological resilience, and OXTR gene polymorphisms.