Therefore, our results contradict previous findings as they reflect an opposite pattern compared with what has been reported in previous studies, with the s allele in interaction with total life events or specifically with financial life events showing robust association with an increased depression score in males but not in females. It is possible that specifically financial stressors have a higher impact on men as they are related to pervasive loss of existential safety as well as of the traditional male role. However, the lack of interaction effect between 5-HTTLPR and other types of life events (life events related to illness and injury, intimate relationships and social network) in women is a surprising new finding in the light of previous results.
