Happiness might be in your genes

Another day, another study. This time, new data points to the discovery of a "happiness gene."

Scientists recently started investigating a possible genetic link to certain traits — or "psychological resources" — that people who best handle tough times possess. Observing that optimism, self-esteem and personal mastery tend to run in families, they wanted to see if genetics had a role in our optimistic outlooks.

Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles had 326 study participants fill out a survey about their perceived levels of optimism, self-esteem and personal mastery (confidence that you can succeed and thrive in your particular environment) as well as their experience with depressive symptoms. Then they compared the answers with the participants' OXTR genes.

OXTR, or the oxytocin receptor, has been previously linked to stress susceptibility. Oxytocin is commonly known as the feel-good "love" (or "cuddle") hormone.

The results? Gene variations partly control tendencies to feel optimistic and self-confident or depressed.

"The researchers found that people who had one or two copies of the OXTR gene with an 'A' (adenine) allele in a certain spot tended to be less optimistic, have lower self-esteem and feel less personal mastery. They also displayed symptoms of depression more frequently. On the other hand, people with two copies the 'G' (guanine) allele reported more of those happiness-boosting psychological resources and fewer depressive tendencies," Prevention summarized.

Dr. Shelley E. Taylor, the study's senior author, emphasized in a press release that genes are not destiny and that OXTR plays only a small role in outlook.

"This gene is one factor that influences psychological resources and depression, but there is plenty of room for environmental factors as well. A supportive childhood, good relationships, friends and even other genes also play a role in the development of psychological resources, and these factors also play a very substantial role in whether people become depressed," Taylor said.

"Just because you have a gene doesn't mean you are fated to be happy or sad, it means you are more vulnerable to these traits," psychiatrist Alan Manevitz, MD, said.

"This speaks to the idea of developing coping mechanisms early."

The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.