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Oxytocin and state attachment responses to secure base support after stress in middle childhood

Bien Cuyvers1,2, Marinus van IJzendoorn3, Marian Bakermans-Kranenburg4,5

  • 1Clinical Psychology Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Attachment & Human Development
|January 19, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Receiving maternal care boosts children's oxytocin and attachment security. This effect occurs regardless of a child's prior attachment style, suggesting in-the-moment support benefits development.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Attachment Theory

Background:

  • Previous research suggests caregiving enhances children's oxytocin and attachment security.
  • Individual differences in attachment styles may influence responses to care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To replicate findings on caregiving's effect on children's oxytocin and state attachment.
  • To investigate if trait attachment moderates the oxytocin and state attachment response to maternal care.

Main Methods:

  • Within-subject experiment with 109 children (9-11 years old) undergoing stress induction.
  • Measurement of salivary oxytocin, state attachment, trait attachment, and Secure Base Script knowledge.
  • Comparison of physiological and psychological responses before and after receiving maternal secure base support.

Main Results:

  • Oxytocin levels significantly increased following maternal secure base support after a period of solitude.
  • State attachment levels showed less change compared to oxytocin.
  • Trait attachment and Secure Base Script knowledge did not moderate the observed oxytocin or state attachment responses.

Conclusions:

  • Receiving maternal secure base support increases oxytocin levels in children.
  • Positive attachment experiences in the moment may benefit attachment development, irrespective of prior attachment history.
  • Findings highlight the potential impact of immediate social support on children's emotional regulation and attachment.

Keywords:
ParentingTSSTsecure base script knowledgestresstrust

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