Conversely, the GxE effect may not be active among women because they are less likely exhibit internal behavioral undercontrol than men, and their drinking behaviors tend to be less influenced by impulsivity traits (Cross et al. 2011; Rutledge and Sher 2001a). In other words, the disinhibition pathway may be a less relevant mechanism of alcohol misuse in women, effectively eliminating the effects of the interaction between GABRA2 and daily uplifts that is observable in men. Alternatively, feminine gender norms and the stigma associated with excessive drinking for women may serve as more uniform agents of social control against alcohol misuse (Keefe 1994; Nolen-Hoeksema and Hilt 2006), affecting women equally or in ways that do not correlate with genotype or daily uplifts. If true, these gendered forms of social control would suppress the expression of GABRA2 even among those with low levels of positive daily experiences and high genetic risk.
