Oxytocin in the postnatal period: Associations with attachment and maternal caregiving

Jane Kohlhoff; Valsamma Eapen; Mark Dadds; Feroza Khan; Derrick Silove; Bryanne Barnett

doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.03.010

Oxytocin in the postnatal period: Associations with attachment and maternal caregiving

Compr Psychiatry. 2017 Jul:76:56-68. doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.03.010. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

Authors

Jane Kohlhoff¹, Valsamma Eapen², Mark Dadds³, Feroza Khan⁴, Derrick Silove⁵, Bryanne Barnett⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; Karitane, P.O. Box 241, Villawood, NSW 2163, Australia. Electronic address: jane.kohlhoff@unsw.edu.au.
² School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney, Ingham Institute, Level 1, Mental Health Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia. Electronic address: v.eapen@unsw.edu.au.
³ School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Griffith Taylor Building (A19), University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: mark.dadds@sydney.edu.au.
⁴ School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney, Ingham Institute, Level 1, Mental Health Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia. Electronic address: feroza.khan@unsw.edu.au.
⁵ School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; Centre for Population Mental Health Research, Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit, Level 1, Mental Health Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Elizabeth Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia. Electronic address: D.Silove@unsw.edu.au.
⁶ School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Hospital Rd, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia; St John of God Blacktown Raphael Services, 36-38 First Avenue, Blacktown, NSW 2148, Australia. Electronic address: bryanne74@bigpond.com.

PMID: 28431269
DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.03.010

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the associations of maternal oxytocin, self-reported attachment insecurity and depressive symptoms with maternal caregiving sensitivity at 3-4months 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.

MeSH terms

Adult
Depression / psychology*
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant Behavior
Male
Maternal Behavior / psychology*
Middle Aged
Mother-Child Relations
Object Attachment*
Oxytocin / blood*
Play and Playthings / psychology
Postpartum Period / blood*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult

Substances

Oxytocin