Despite a substantial body of literature underscoring the relevance of gendered etiological pathways in alcohol dependence, gender differences are often unaddressed within the existing body of GxE research. The neglect of gender, both theoretically and methodologically, is a major limitation of existing GxE research. Results presented here illustrate that if ignored, gender-differentiated GxE effects can increase the likelihood of null findings and obscure complex interactions between genetic predisposition and gendered environments and experiences. To realize the full potential of GxE research going forward, it is critical to integrate theories and methodologies from diverse social science and biomedical disciplines.
