The results presented here are consistent with a substantial portion of the work involving alcohol outcomes, level of response, and variation in 5-HTTLPR. Several empirical studies and two meta-analyses point to S carriers being at increased risk for negative alcohol outcomes (e.g., Chen et al., 2014; Feinn et al., 2005; Herman et al., 2003; McHugh et al., 2010). However, other studies have reported that L carriers are at increased risk (e.g., Hu et al., 2005; Schuckit et al., 1999). Here we did not find a significant direct effect from 5-HTTLPR variation to alcohol outcomes, but did find an indirect effect whereby S allele carriers were at increased risk via SRE-5; this held in those with moderate to low parental monitoring. High monitoring was also protective, particularly against alcohol-related problems. These findings suggest that prior conflicts in the literature may have been due to unmeasured variance in other factors, including parenting.
