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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding
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Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) Polymorphisms and Attachment in Human Infants.

Frances S Chen1, Maria E Barth, Stephen L Johnson

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Freiburg Freiburg, Germany.

Frontiers in Psychology
|September 10, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Infant attachment behaviors are linked to adult psychological functioning. Variations in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene, specifically the A allele of rs2254298, were associated with secure infant attachment in non-Caucasian infants.

Keywords:
attachmentdevelopmentoxytocinpolymorphismstrust

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Behavioral Genetics
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Infant attachment behaviors, such as seeking comfort from caregivers, show significant individual differences.
  • These variations in early attachment are associated with diverse psychological outcomes in adulthood.
  • The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene is a potential genetic factor influencing these attachment variations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between genetic variations in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene and infant attachment behaviors.
  • To explore if specific OXTR gene alleles correlate with secure or insecure attachment classifications in infants.

Main Methods:

  • One hundred seventy-six infants were assessed using the Strange Situation procedure to classify attachment security.
  • Genotyping was performed to examine variations in the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene, focusing on the rs2254298 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).
  • Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the association between OXTR gene alleles and infant attachment classifications, considering ethnicity.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was found between the A allele of the OXTR rs2254298 polymorphism and secure infant attachment.
  • This association was particularly evident in the subgroup of non-Caucasian infants (p < 0.005).
  • No significant association was observed in the Caucasian infant subgroup.

Conclusions:

  • The findings highlight the role of the oxytocin system, specifically the OXTR gene, in the development of human social behavior and attachment.
  • Oxytocin signaling appears to be important for social stress-regulation and the development of trust from infancy.
  • Genetic variations in OXTR may contribute to individual differences in infant attachment, with potential ethnic variations in these effects.