TY - JOUR
T1 - Oxytocin in the postnatal period
T2 - associations with attachment and maternal caregiving
AU - Kohlhoff, Jane
AU - Eapen, Valsamma
AU - Dadds, Mark
AU - Khan, Feroza
AU - Silove, Derrick
AU - Barnett, Bryanne
PY - 2017/7/1
Y1 - 2017/7/1
N2 - Background: This study investigated the associations of maternal oxytocin, self-reported attachment insecurity and depressive symptoms with maternal caregiving sensitivity at 3–4 months postpartum, observed during the ‘free play’ and ‘reunion’ episodes of the Still Face Procedure. Methods: 112 mothers completed questionnaires and gave blood samples to determine oxytocin plasma levels before (time 1) and after participating in the Still Face Procedure with their infant (time 2). Results: Sensitive maternal caregiving during the free play episode was predicted by ‘good’ infant behavior; during the reunion episode it was predicted by ‘good’ infant behavior, higher baseline levels of maternal oxytocin and a greater maternal oxytocin response, or in other words, a larger increase in maternal oxytocin level from time 1 to time 2. With other variables free to vary, baseline maternal oxytocin levels mediated an inverse relation between maternal adult attachment avoidance and sensitive maternal caregiving during the reunion episode. Conclusion: Results highlight the association between oxytocin and sensitive maternal caregiving and suggest that oxytocin is a biological mechanism through which maternal attachment insecurity affects early parenting quality.
AB - Background: This study investigated the associations of maternal oxytocin, self-reported attachment insecurity and depressive symptoms with maternal caregiving sensitivity at 3–4 months postpartum, observed during the ‘free play’ and ‘reunion’ episodes of the Still Face Procedure. Methods: 112 mothers completed questionnaires and gave blood samples to determine oxytocin plasma levels before (time 1) and after participating in the Still Face Procedure with their infant (time 2). Results: Sensitive maternal caregiving during the free play episode was predicted by ‘good’ infant behavior; during the reunion episode it was predicted by ‘good’ infant behavior, higher baseline levels of maternal oxytocin and a greater maternal oxytocin response, or in other words, a larger increase in maternal oxytocin level from time 1 to time 2. With other variables free to vary, baseline maternal oxytocin levels mediated an inverse relation between maternal adult attachment avoidance and sensitive maternal caregiving during the reunion episode. Conclusion: Results highlight the association between oxytocin and sensitive maternal caregiving and suggest that oxytocin is a biological mechanism through which maternal attachment insecurity affects early parenting quality.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85017617666&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.03.010
DO - 10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.03.010
M3 - Article
C2 - 28431269
AN - SCOPUS:85017617666
SN - 0010-440X
VL - 76
SP - 56
EP - 68
JO - Comprehensive Psychiatry
JF - Comprehensive Psychiatry
ER -