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Salivary oxytocin after play with parents predicts behavioural problems in preschool children

Nuno Torres1, Daniel Martins2, Lígia Monteiro3

  • 1ISPA - Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Psicologicas Sociais e da Vida, William James Research Center, Rua Jardim do Tabaco, no34, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal.

Psychoneuroendocrinology
|December 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Salivary oxytocin (OXT) after playing with parents may indicate childhood behavior issues. Reliable measurement requires multiple samples, especially after positive interactions, not just baseline collection.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Oxytocin (OXT) is investigated for its role in childhood behavioral problems.
  • Saliva offers a practical method for quantifying neuropeptides in children.
  • Salivary OXT is a potential biomarker for childhood psychopathology, but its reliable measurement and correlation with behavior require further study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the reliability of salivary oxytocin (OXT) measurements in preschool children.
  • To explore the relationship between salivary OXT levels and behavioral problems in young children.
  • To determine optimal conditions for measuring salivary OXT as a potential biomarker.

Main Methods:

  • Collected seven saliva samples from 30 preschool children across five days.
  • Samples were obtained during routine daily conditions and after parent-child play sessions.
  • Quantified OXT via Radioimmunoassay and assessed behavioral problems using the Caregiver-Teacher Report Form (C-TRF).

Main Results:

  • Baseline salivary OXT did not predict behavioral problems.
  • Salivary OXT measured after parent-child play showed negative correlations with depression and opposition scales.
  • Reliable OXT measurement required averaging multiple samples, with post-play samples showing better reliability than baseline.

Conclusions:

  • Salivary OXT measurements after positive parent interactions may reflect the OXT system's relevance to children's social behavior.
  • Evoked OXT levels after play are more informative than baseline measures for understanding the OXT system in young children.
  • Multiple saliva samples are necessary for reliable OXT quantification in preschool children.
Abstract

Keywords:
Behavioural problemsChildrenOxytocinRadioimmunoassaySaliva

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