1
|
Xiao S, Ebner NC, Manzouri A, Li TQ, Cortes DS, Månsson KNT, Fischer H. Age-dependent effects of oxytocin in brain regions enriched with oxytocin receptors. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 160:106666. [PMID: 37951085 PMCID: PMC10841644 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Although intranasal oxytocin administration to tap into central functions is the most commonly used non-invasive means for exploring oxytocin's role in human cognition and behavior, the way by which intranasal oxytocin acts on the brain is not yet fully understood. Recent research suggests that brain regions densely populated with oxytocin receptors may play a central role in intranasal oxytocin's action mechanisms in the brain. In particular, intranasal oxytocin may act directly on (subcortical) regions rich in oxytocin receptors via binding to these receptors while only indirectly affecting other (cortical) regions via their neural connections to oxytocin receptor-enriched regions. Aligned with this notion, the current study adopted a novel approach to test 1) whether the connections between oxytocin receptor-enriched regions (i.e., the thalamus, pallidum, caudate nucleus, putamen, and olfactory bulbs) and other regions in the brain were responsive to intranasal oxytocin administration, and 2) whether oxytocin-induced effects varied as a function of age. Forty-six young (24.96 ± 3.06 years) and 44 older (69.89 ± 2.99 years) participants were randomized, in a double-blind procedure, to self-administer either intranasal oxytocin or placebo before resting-state fMRI. Results supported age-dependency in the effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on connectivity between oxytocin receptor-enriched regions and other regions in the brain. Specifically, compared to placebo, oxytocin decreased both connectivity density and connectivity strength of the thalamus for young participants while it increased connectivity density and connectivity strength of the caudate for older participants. These findings inform the mechanisms underlying the effects of exogenous oxytocin on brain function and highlight the importance of age in these processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Xiao
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Campus Albano hus 4, Albanovägen, SE-114 19 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Natalie C Ebner
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL 32611-2250, USA; Cognitive Aging and Memory Program, Clinical Translational Research Program (CAM-CTRP), University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, 1149 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Amirhossein Manzouri
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Norra stationsgatan 69, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Tie-Qiang Li
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention, and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels Allé 8, SE-141 52 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Diana S Cortes
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Campus Albano hus 4, Albanovägen, SE-114 19 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Kristoffer N T Månsson
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Norra stationsgatan 69, SE-113 64 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Håkan Fischer
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Campus Albano hus 4, Albanovägen, SE-114 19 Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm University Brain Imaging Center (SUBIC), SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Tomtebodavägen 18 A, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Orui J, Shiraiwa K, Tazaki F, Inoue T, Ueda M, Ueno K, Naito Y, Ishii R. Social Buffering Effects during Craft Activities in Parallel Group Session Revealed by EEG Analysis and Parasympathetic Activity. Neuropsychobiology 2023; 82:287-299. [PMID: 37562371 PMCID: PMC10614439 DOI: 10.1159/000531005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The therapeutic structure of occupational therapy (OT) includes groups. Although the presence of others is expected to be relaxing due to the social buffering effect and the tend and befriend theory, it has not been sufficiently validated in accordance with the therapeutic structure of OT. The aim of this study was to investigate the electrophysiological evidence for the effectiveness of parallel groups and states of concentration on craft activities used in OT. METHODS Thirty healthy young adults were used as controls to measure EEG and autonomic activity during craft activities in three conditions: alone, parallel, and nonparallel. EEG was analyzed using exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography, and autonomic activity was analyzed using Lorenz plot analysis. RESULTS Parasympathetic activity was significantly higher in the parallel condition than in the alone condition. A significant negative correlation was found between current source density and parasympathetic activity in the region centered on the right insular cortex in the α1 band, and functional connectivity in regions including the anterior cingulate cortex and insular cortex was associated with autonomic activity. CONCLUSION Craft activities that occurred during frontal midline theta rhythm also increased parasympathetic activity. The results suggest that the parallel groups used in OT and the intensive state of craft activities induce a social buffering effect that increases parasympathetic activity despite the absence of physical contact or social support. This provides evidence for the effectiveness of the therapeutic structure of occupational activities and groups in OT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junya Orui
- Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keigo Shiraiwa
- Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
| | - Fumie Tazaki
- Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takao Inoue
- Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaya Ueda
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keita Ueno
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasuo Naito
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryouhei Ishii
- Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nin VMEL, Willmund GD, Jungmann SM, Asmundson GJG, Piefke M. Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Stress and strain profiles in the German population. Front Public Health 2023; 11:990407. [PMID: 37113182 PMCID: PMC10128881 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.990407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical observations indicate that people frequently display stress-related behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although numerous studies have been published concerning pandemic-related psychological distress, systematic data on the interrelationships between stress sensitivity, personality, and behavioral characteristics of people are still lacking. In the present cross-sectional online survey study, we applied a German version of the COVID Stress Scales (CSS) and standard psychological questionnaires to systematically identify the complex interplay between stress sensitivity, gender, and personality in the modulation of quality of life and mental health in the German population (N = 1774; age ≥ 16 years). A CSS-based cluster analysis revealed two clusters characterized by higher and lower stress levels. Study participants in each cluster differed significantly with respect to neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, quality of life, depression, and anxiety. Females were significantly overrepresented in the higher stress cluster, while there was an overrepresentation of males in the lower stress cluster. Neuroticism was identified as a risk factor and extraversion as a protective factor for enhanced pandemic-related stress responses. For the first time our data show a taxonomy of factors, which modulate pandemic-related stress sensitivity and warrant consideration as key indicators of quality of life and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. We suggest that our data may advise governmental regulation of pandemic-related public health measures, to optimize quality of life and psychological health in different groups of the population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent M. E. L. Nin
- Neurobiology and Genetics of Behavior, Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
- *Correspondence: Vincent M. E. L. Nin,
| | - Gerd-Dieter Willmund
- German Center for Military Mental Health, Military Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie M. Jungmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Martina Piefke
- Neurobiology and Genetics of Behavior, Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jones MV, Smith N, Burns D, Braithwaite E, Turner M, McCann A, Walker L, Emmerson P, Webster L, Jones M. A systematic review of resilient performance in defence and security settings. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273015. [PMID: 36190945 PMCID: PMC9529107 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A narrative systematic literature review was conducted to explore resilient performance in defence and security settings. A search strategy was employed across a total of five databases, searching published articles from 2001 onwards that assessed performance and optimal function in relation to resilience, in defence and security personnel. Following narrative synthesis, studies were assessed for quality. Thirty-two articles met inclusion criteria across a range of performance domains, including, but not limited to, course selection, marksmanship, land navigation, and simulated captivity. Some of the key findings included measures of mental toughness, confidence, and a stress-is-enhancing mindset being positively associated with performance outcomes. There was mixed evidence for the predictive value of biomarkers, although there was some support for cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and neuropeptide-y (NPY), and vagal reactivity. Interventions to improve resilient performance were focused on mindfulness or general psychological skills, with effects generally clearer on cognitive tasks rather than direct performance outcomes in the field. In sum, no single measure, nor intervention was consistently associated with performance over a range of domains. To inform future work, findings from the present review have been used to develop a framework of resilient performance, with the aim to promote theoretically informed work.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Vincent Jones
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England
- * E-mail:
| | - Nathan Smith
- Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, Coventry, England
| | - Danielle Burns
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England
| | | | - Martin Turner
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England
| | - Andy McCann
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England
| | - Lucy Walker
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England
| | | | - Leonie Webster
- Human and Social Sciences Group, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Jones
- Human and Social Sciences Group, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Marazziti D, Diep PT, Carter S, Carbone MG. Oxytocin: An Old Hormone, A Novel Psychotropic Drug And Possible Use In Treating Psychiatric Disorders. Curr Med Chem 2022; 29:5615-5687. [PMID: 35894453 DOI: 10.2174/0929867329666220727120646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin is a nonapeptide synthesized in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus. Historically, this molecule has been involved as a key factor in the formation of infant attachment, maternal behavior and pair bonding and, more generally, in linking social signals with cognition, behaviors and reward. In the last decades, the whole oxytocin system has gained a growing interest as it was proposed to be implicated in etiopathogenesis of several neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. METHODS With the main goal of an in-depth understanding of the oxytocin role in the regulation of different functions and complex behaviors as well as its intriguing implications in different neuropsychiatric disorders, we performed a critical review of the current state of art. We carried out this work through PubMed database up to June 2021 with the search terms: 1) "oxytocin and neuropsychiatric disorders"; 2) "oxytocin and neurodevelopmental disorders"; 3) "oxytocin and anorexia"; 4) "oxytocin and eating disorders"; 5) "oxytocin and obsessive-compulsive disorder"; 6) "oxytocin and schizophrenia"; 7) "oxytocin and depression"; 8) "oxytocin and bipolar disorder"; 9) "oxytocin and psychosis"; 10) "oxytocin and anxiety"; 11) "oxytocin and personality disorder"; 12) "oxytocin and PTSD". RESULTS Biological, genetic, and epigenetic studies highlighted quality and quantity modifications in the expression of oxytocin peptide or in oxytocin receptor isoforms. These alterations would seem to be correlated with a higher risk of presenting several neuropsychiatric disorders belonging to different psychopathological spectra. Collaterally, the exogenous oxytocin administration has shown to ameliorate many neuropsychiatric clinical conditions. CONCLUSION Finally, we briefly analyzed the potential pharmacological use of oxytocin in patient with severe symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and immunoregulatory properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Marazziti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy.,Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Phuoc-Tan Diep
- Department of Histopathology, Royal Lancaster Infirmary, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Sue Carter
- Director Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Manuel G Carbone
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Division of Psychiatry, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Florea T, Palimariciuc M, Cristofor AC, Dobrin I, Chiriță R, Bîrsan M, Dobrin RP, Pădurariu M. Oxytocin: Narrative Expert Review of Current Perspectives on the Relationship with Other Neurotransmitters and the Impact on the Main Psychiatric Disorders. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58070923. [PMID: 35888641 PMCID: PMC9318841 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58070923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Is a cyclic neuropeptide produced primarily in the hypothalamus and plays an important neuromodulatory role for other neurotransmitter systems, with an impact on behavior, response to danger, stress, and complex social interactions, such as pair bonding and child care. This narrative expert review examines the literature on oxytocin as a brain hormone. We focused on oxytocin structure, distribution, genetics, and the oxytocin receptor system, as well as the relationship of oxytocin with other neurotransmitters and the resulting impacts on the main psychiatric disorders. Oxytocin levels have been correlated over time with mental illness, with numerous studies focusing on oxytocin and the pathophysiology of the main psychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, personality disorders, mood, and eating disorders. We highlight the role oxytocin plays in improving symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and social behavior, as the literature suggests. Risk factors and causes for psychiatric disorders range from genetic to environmental and social factors. Oxytocin could impact the latter, being linked with other neurotransmitter systems that are responsible for integrating different situations during the development phases of individuals. Also, these systems have an important role in how the body responds to stressors or bonding with others, helping with the creation of social support groups that could speed up recovery in many situations. Oxytocin has the potential to become a key therapeutic agent for future treatment and prevention strategies concerning the main psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tudor Florea
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
| | - Matei Palimariciuc
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Ana Caterina Cristofor
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Irina Dobrin
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Roxana Chiriță
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Magdalena Bîrsan
- Department of Drug Industry and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iaşi, 16 Universităţii Street, 700115 Iaşi, Romania;
| | - Romeo Petru Dobrin
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 Universității Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (T.F.); (M.P.); (A.C.C.); (I.D.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
- Correspondence:
| | - Manuela Pădurariu
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Maikoo S, Wilkins A, Qulu L. The effect of oxytocin and an enriched environment on anxiety-like behaviour and corticosterone levels in a prenatally stressed febrile seizure rat model. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2022; 13:47-56. [PMID: 36590100 PMCID: PMC9795298 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Febrile seizures (FS) are a neurological abnormality which occur following a fever that has resulted from a systemic infection and are characterised by convulsions. These convulsions occur due to abnormally increased signalling of interleukin-1 beta, resulting in increased neuronal hyper-excitability. Furthermore, exposure to prenatal stress has been shown to exacerbate seizure duration, elicit anxiety-like behaviour and corticosterone levels. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide with anxiolytic, social bonding, and stress regulation effects. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess whether oxytocin can attenuate the anxiety-like behaviour and increased corticosterone in rat offspring exposed to prenatal stress and FS. Method Sprague Dawley rats were mated. On GND14, prenatal stress was induced on pregnant dams for 1 hr/7 days. On PND 14, rat pups were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 200 μg/kg, i.p.) followed 2.5 h later by an i.p. injection of kainic acid (KA, 1.75 mg/kg). Oxytocin (1 mg/kg) was induced via different routes (intraperitoneal or intranasal) as well an enriched environment between PND 22-26. The enriched environment included larger cages (1560 cm2) with only 4 pups per cage, compared to those groups not receiving enrichment (646 cm2), as well as cardboard rolls and plastic toys. On PND 27-33 the light/dark box and elevated plus maze were used to assess anxiety-like behaviour. On PND 34 all rats were euthanized using a sharp guillotine, trunk blood and hypothalamic tissue were collected for neurochemical analysis (ELISA kit). Results Our findings confirmed that exposure to both prenatal stress and febrile seizures resulted anxiety-like behaviour and significantly higher plasma corticosterone concentrations compared to their counterparts. Environmental enrichment was significantly effective in attenuating the increased basal corticosterone levels and anxiety-like behaviour seen in the prenatally stressed FS rat. Although direct administration of oxytocin showed higher significance in reducing corticosterone plasma levels when compared to the enriched environment. Furthermore, hypothalamic oxytocin levels were not significant in rat exposed to environmental enrichment while oxytocin treatment showed a significant effect when compared to their counterparts. Conclusion Therefore, oxytocin administration during early postnatal development shows great potential in reversing the effects of prenatal stress and its subsequent exacerbation of FS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shreyal Maikoo
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andria Wilkins
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, College of Health Sciences, Department of Human Physiology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lihle Qulu
- Stellenbosch University - Tygerberg Campus: Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Capetown, South Africa,Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wong SF, Cardoso C, Orlando MA, Brown CA, Ellenbogen MA. Depressive symptoms and social context modulate oxytocin's effect on negative memory recall. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2021; 16:1234-1243. [PMID: 34100542 PMCID: PMC8717011 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin promotes social affiliation across various species, in part by altering social cognition to facilitate approach behaviour. However, the effects of intranasal oxytocin on human social cognition are mixed, perhaps because its effects are context dependent and subject to inter-individual differences. Few studies have included explicit manipulations of social context to test this supposition. We examined oxytocin's effects on autobiographical memory recall in two contexts, with and without social contact, and evaluated whether these effects were moderated by depressive symptoms. Two non-clinical samples (Study 1, n = 48; Study 2, n = 63) completed randomised, placebo-controlled, within-subject experiments. We assessed autobiographical memory recall across two sessions (intranasal oxytocin or placebo) and two contexts (memories elicited by an experimenter or by computer). Overall, intranasal oxytocin increased ratings of the vividness of recalled memories during the social context only. Individuals with elevated depressive symptoms also recalled memories that were more negative following oxytocin relative to placebo only in the non-social context across the two studies. Findings highlight the negative consequences of increasing oxytocin bioavailability in vulnerable persons in the absence of social contact. Contextual factors such as social isolation among depressed populations may complicate the clinical use of oxytocin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiu F Wong
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Christopher Cardoso
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Mark A Orlando
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| | | | - Mark A Ellenbogen
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC H4B 1R6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rodrigues MA, Yoon SO, Clancy KBH, Stine-Morrow EAL. What are friends for? The impact of friendship on communicative efficiency and cortisol response during collaborative problem solving among younger and older women. J Women Aging 2021; 33:411-427. [PMID: 34038325 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2021.1915686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Conversation is a skilled activity that depends on cognitive and social processes, both of which develop through adulthood. We examined the effects of age and partner familiarity on communicative efficiency and cortisol reactivity. Younger and older women interacted with familiar or unfamiliar partners in a dyadic collaborative conversation task (N = 8 in each group). Regardless of age, referential expressions among familiar and unfamiliar partners became more efficient over time, and cortisol concentrations were lower for speakers interacting with familiar partners. These findings suggest that communicative effectiveness is largely preserved with age, as is the stress-buffering effect of a familiar partner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Rodrigues
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.,Department of Social and Cultural Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Si On Yoon
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Kathryn B H Clancy
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.,Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| | - Elizabeth A L Stine-Morrow
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.,Department of Educational Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Intranasal oxytocin increases state anhedonia following imagery training of positive social outcomes in individuals lower in extraversion, trust-altruism, and openness to experience. Int J Psychophysiol 2021; 165:8-17. [PMID: 33839197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Psychological disorders such as major depressive disorder are characterised by interpersonal difficulties and anhedonia. A cognitive mechanism proposed to contribute to the maintenance of these problems is a diminished ability to generate positive mental imagery, especially regarding social interactions. The current study examined whether the effects of social imagery training on social activity and anhedonia could be enhanced with the addition of intranasal oxytocin, and whether these effects might be augmented in persons with a high propensity to engage socially (i.e., high extraversion). University students (N = 111) were randomised to self-administer intranasal oxytocin or placebo, followed by a single session of positive social or non-social imagery training that required participants to imagine 64 positive scenarios occurring in either a social or non-social context, respectively. There were no main effects of imagery type and drug, and no interaction effect on anhedonia and social activity, measured respectively via self-report and a behavioural task. Individuals low in extraversion, trust-altruism, and openness to experience reported significantly more anhedonia after receiving oxytocin relative to placebo, but only following imagery training of positive social outcomes. Results highlight the negative consequences of increasing oxytocin bioavailability after priming social contact in more withdrawn individuals.
Collapse
|
11
|
Mancini AD, Westphal M, Griffin P. Outside the Eye of the Storm: Can Moderate Hurricane Exposure Improve Social, Psychological, and Attachment Functioning? PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2021; 47:1722-1734. [PMID: 33550936 DOI: 10.1177/0146167221990488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
High-intensity disaster can harm psychological functioning. Could moderate-intensity disaster improve psychological and attachment functioning through its effects on social functioning? We used a prospective quasi-experimental cohort design to investigate this possibility among college students. Hurricane cohort participants (N = 209) completed assessments before, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks after Hurricane Sandy. Two matched comparison cohorts (Ns > 140) were assessed 4 months and 1 year later. The hurricane cohort, in contrast to matched comparison cohorts, reported increased social support, reduced global distress, reduced negative emotion, and reduced attachment avoidance at the end of the semester. Increased social support mediated the relationship between hurricane cohort and reduced global distress, negative emotion, attachment avoidance, and attachment anxiety, and increased positive emotion and self-esteem at 6 weeks poststorm. The results suggest moderate disaster exposure can benefit short-term social, psychological, and attachment functioning, underscoring the critical role of the social context in stress adaptation.
Collapse
|
12
|
Intranasal oxytocin and the stress-buffering effects of social support during experimentally induced pain: The role of attachment security. J Affect Disord 2021; 278:149-156. [PMID: 32961410 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined whether intranasal oxytocin enhances the stress-buffering effects of social support during experimentally induced pain, taking into account the role of individual differences in attachment security. METHODS Female participants (N = 193) were randomly assigned to oxytocin (24 IU intranasal) or placebo and to receive support or no support from a friend (2 × 2 factorial design with repeated measures)). Participants underwent the Cold Pressor Task (CPT) and were monitored for heart rate variability (HRV: RMSSD) and heart rate and reported pain levels. The Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire was used to measure attachment. RESULTS Oxytocin reduced RMSSD (p = 0.003, partial ɳ2 = 0.03) and increased heart rate (p = 0.039, partial ɳ2 = 0.03) in individuals who received support, possibly reflecting an enhanced attentional state. Oxytocin did not enhance beneficial effects of social support on perceived pain, but increased pain intensity in avoidantly attached individuals who were supported by a friend (p = 0.009, partial ɳ2 = 0.06). LIMITATIONS Only female participants were examined. Future studies are needed to determine sex differences in how oxytocin shapes stress-buffering effects of support. CONCLUSIONS Oxytocin may enhance the salience of social proximity and may be a mechanism underlying previously reported social influences on cardiovascular and mental health. However, oxytocin effects depend on interpersonal insecurities and may trigger discomfort in avoidantly attached individuals. Caution about oxytocin's therapeutic promise is warranted.
Collapse
|
13
|
Carlander A, Johansson LO. Should Trust Be Stressed? General Trust and Proactive Coping as Buffers to Perceived Stress. Front Psychol 2020; 11:554962. [PMID: 33281660 PMCID: PMC7691599 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.554962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is becoming an increasingly important public health concern. Assuming that individual levels of trust and coping can buffer psychological stress, we explore validated measures of general trust [General Trust Scale (GTS)], proactive coping [Proactive Coping Inventory (PCI)], jointly with personality [Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to experience (HEXACO)], and intolerance of uncertainty (IUS), as predictors of perceived stress [Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)]. Data were collected from Qualtrics research panels using quota sampling to obtain two representative American community samples. The assumed alleviating effects of GTS and PCI on PSS remained but were attenuated when modeled jointly with HEXACO, IUS, and socio-economic background variables [socioeconomic status (SES)] in hierarchical regressions. In Study 1 (N = 1,213), SES explained 19% and HEXACO explained 29% of the variance in PSS. Introducing IUS and GTS added significant but small portions of explained variance. In Study 2 (N = 1,090), after controlling for SES which explained 18% of the variance, IUS explained an additional 18% of the variance in PSS. Adding GTS to the model showed modest contributions whereas PCI added 9% of explained variance in the final hierarchical step. The findings highlight that GTS and PCI remain important variables even after controlling well-known factors such as personality and ability to tolerate uncertainty. However, given the weak effects of GTS, to consider trust as a remedy for stress may be of limited use in clinical practice since it could potentially be explained largely as a proxy for a beneficial combination of personality, coping, and socioeconomic background.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anders Carlander
- SOM Institute, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gong P, Wang Q, Liu J, Xi S, Yang X, Fang P, Wang B, He L, Guo W, Zhang M. The OXTR polymorphisms are not associated with attachment dimensions: A three-approach study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 120:104780. [PMID: 32634747 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Inspired by the roles of oxytocin in social behaviors, scientists have devoted considerable efforts to examine the association between the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) and human attachment, a personality of seek and receiving comfort from intimate figures. However, there are still a lot of controversies on the association. To clarify the relationship, this research integrated three studies: (1) A cross-sectional study indicated that the OXTR polymorphisms (i.e., rs53576 and rs2254298) were not significantly associated with attachment dimensions in a college student sample (N = 1193); (2) A three-wave study showed that the polymorphisms were not associated with the individual differences and changes of attachment dimensions in a freshmen sample (N = 657); and (3) Meta-analysis indicated that attachment dimensions were not associated with the polymorphisms of rs53576 (Anxiety: 14 samples, N = 5053; Avoidance: ten samples, N = 4273) and rs2254298 (Anxiety: ten samples, N = 3670; Avoidance: ten samples, N = 3698). Taken together, these findings provide strong evidence that the OXTR polymorphisms are not related to attachment dimensions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pingyuan Gong
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China; College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China; College of Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Quanhe Wang
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Jinting Liu
- Research Center of Brain Function and Psychological Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Shoumin Xi
- College of Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China
| | - Xing Yang
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China; College of Life Science, Yulin University, Yulin, 719000, China
| | - Pengpeng Fang
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Bei Wang
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Linlin He
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Wenxuan Guo
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Mengfei Zhang
- College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Papasteri CC, Sofonea A, Boldasu R, Poalelungi C, Tomescu MI, Pistol CAD, Vasilescu RI, Nedelcea C, Podina IR, Berceanu AI, Froemke RC, Carcea I. Social Feedback During Sensorimotor Synchronization Changes Salivary Oxytocin and Behavioral States. Front Psychol 2020; 11:531046. [PMID: 33071856 PMCID: PMC7538614 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.531046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans and animal models, oxytocin increases social closeness, attachment and prosocial behaviors, while decreasing anxiety and stress levels. Efficiently triggering the release of endogenous oxytocin could serve as a powerful therapeutic intervention for disorders of social behavior and for anxiety. We designed a new version of a social sensorimotor synchronization task to investigate the role of social approval in inducing biochemical and psychological changes following behavioral synchrony in a sample of 80 college students. Social approval in the form of real time positive feedback increased well-being only in women, while increasing social closeness in both genders. Social disapproval in the form of real time negative feedback prevented a decrease in stress levels that otherwise women reported following engagement in either social or non-social synchronization. Surprisingly, for certain personality traits, negative social feedback during sensorimotor synchronization was psychologically beneficial irrespective of gender. Salivary oxytocin levels increased only in women after the social but not the non-social synchronization tasks. Oxytocin dynamics were independent of the type of real time feedback that subjects received, indicating the existence of distinct mechanisms for hormonal versus behavioral changes following synchronization. Nevertheless, changes in salivary oxytocin after positive social feedback correlated with changes in well-being and predicted changes in prosocial attitudes. Our findings show evidence of distinct mechanisms for behavioral versus hormonal changes following social sensorimotor synchronization, and indicate that gender and personality traits should be carefully considered when designing behavioral therapies for improving social attitudes and for stress management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudiu C. Papasteri
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatrical and Cinematographic Arts, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandra Sofonea
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatrical and Cinematographic Arts, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Romina Boldasu
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatrical and Cinematographic Arts, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cǎtǎlina Poalelungi
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatrical and Cinematographic Arts, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Miralena I. Tomescu
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatrical and Cinematographic Arts, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Constantin A. D. Pistol
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatrical and Cinematographic Arts, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Physics, Department of Electricity, Solid Physics and Biophysics, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Rǎzvan I. Vasilescu
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatrical and Cinematographic Arts, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cǎtǎlin Nedelcea
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatrical and Cinematographic Arts, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ioana R. Podina
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatrical and Cinematographic Arts, Bucharest, Romania
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru I. Berceanu
- CINETic Center, National University of Theatrical and Cinematographic Arts, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Robert C. Froemke
- Skirball Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Skirball Institute, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ioana Carcea
- Brain Health Institute, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
- *Correspondence: Ioana Carcea,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Exogenous effects of oxytocin in five psychiatric disorders: a systematic review, meta-analyses and a personalized approach through the lens of the social salience hypothesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 114:70-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
|
17
|
Riem MME, Kunst LE, Bekker MHJ, Fallon M, Kupper N. Intranasal oxytocin enhances stress-protective effects of social support in women with negative childhood experiences during a virtual Trier Social Stress Test. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 111:104482. [PMID: 31677411 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin is considered a biological mechanism underlying stress-protective effects of positive social interactions. It is assumed to underlie the women-specific tend-and-befriend response to stress, although few studies have tested this assertion with female samples. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to test whether oxytocin enhances stress-protective effects of social support during stress in women, taking into account the moderating role of childhood adversity. The sample consisted of 180 female undergraduate students who had reported on experiences of childhood abuse and how often their mother used love withdrawal as an insensitive disciplinary strategy. Women participated in a virtual version of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and were randomly assigned to receive 24 IU oxytocin or a placebo and to receive support or no support from a female friend (sub-groups N = 45). Results showed that oxytocin reduced heart rate variability during the TSST in participants who received support, possibly indicating that oxytocin increases attention and stimulates a challenge motivational state in the presence of a friend. In addition, we found that, in the presence of a friend, oxytocin reduced state anxiety levels and cortisol levels after the TSST, but only in women with higher levels of adverse childhood experiences. Our findings may indicate that oxytocin is a neurobiological means to attain and benefit from social support under stressful circumstances, which may be particularly adaptive for women with a history of adversity. Thus, oxytocin may function as motivator for affiliative disposition during stress exposure in women with a history of childhood adversity. Results should be replicated in clinical samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M M E Riem
- Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands; Clinical Child and Family Studies, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - L E Kunst
- Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - M H J Bekker
- Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - M Fallon
- Business School, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - N Kupper
- Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ahlich E, Herr JB, Thomas K, Segarra DT, Rancourt D. A test of the stress-buffering hypothesis of social support among bariatric surgery patients. Surg Obes Relat Dis 2019; 16:90-98. [PMID: 31813776 DOI: 10.1016/j.soard.2019.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The buffering effect of social support against a range of stress-related health outcomes has been well-documented; however, no previous work has examined the applicability of this model to bariatric surgery outcomes. OBJECTIVES The present study sought to address whether social support interacts with stress in predicting postsurgical outcomes, as well as whether these associations may vary by sex. SETTING Teaching hospital, United States. METHODS Data were collected using retrospective chart review (n = 548). Stress, patient sex, and social support were explored as predictors of curvilinear weight loss trajectories during the first year after surgery using growth curve modeling. RESULTS Attendance at follow-up appointments was poor, with 250 patients at 6 months and 187 at 12 months. On average, these patients lost 27% of their total weight between baseline and the 12-month follow-up. Overall, weight-related emotional support appeared to be most relevant to weight loss/maintenance in this population; cohabitating with a spouse or significant other and attendance at support group meetings did not predict weight loss or show any significant interactions with stress. CONCLUSIONS The present study found only partial support for the stress-buffering model of social support among bariatric surgery patients. Such findings have important implications for assessment and follow-up care after bariatric surgery, as well as for future research in this area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica Ahlich
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.
| | - Jordana B Herr
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Katryna Thomas
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Daniel T Segarra
- Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Diana Rancourt
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tschoeke S, Steinert T, Bichescu-Burian D. Causal connection between dissociation and ongoing interpersonal violence: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:424-437. [PMID: 31562923 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify evidence for dissociation as a cause of ongoing interpersonal violence. METHOD A systematic review of the literature retrieved from ten databases. RESULTS Fifteen studies yielded from our search strategy have been included in the review; eleven of these were longitudinal and four were experimental. The evidence indicates that pathological dissociation may contribute towards enduring interpersonal violence. Thus, dissociation may account for instances of repeated victimisation. There are similar indications concerning offenders, but study designs in this area allow one to draw fewer causal conclusions. There is some evidence that dissociation decreases information processing from the limbic system, which may be one underlying neurofunctional mechanism of persistent violence. CONCLUSION There is growing evidence for dissociation as a cause of interpersonal violence. However, the available evidence is still limited, and our review rather reveals an important research gap. Future longitudinal and experimental studies aimed at clarifying the role of dissociation in the context of violence should take into account the theoretical and empirical complexity around the concept of dissociation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Tschoeke
- Center for Psychiatry Südwürttemberg, Ulm University, Ravensburg- Weissenau, Germany.
| | - Tilman Steinert
- Center for Psychiatry Südwürttemberg, Ulm University, Ravensburg- Weissenau, Germany.
| | - Dana Bichescu-Burian
- Center for Psychiatry Südwürttemberg, Ulm University, Ravensburg- Weissenau, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Rodrigues MA, Sanford SR, Rogers MP, Lee KMN, Wilson MA, Amos J, Hunter CD, Clancy KBH. From maternal tending to adolescent befriending: The adolescent transition of social support. Am J Primatol 2019; 82:e23050. [PMID: 31531899 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Attachment theory holds that parental relationships have lifelong effects on offspring social lives. The tend-and-befriend hypothesis posits that female friendships among humans evolved as part of a primate-wide coping mechanism to mediate stress by relying on social support. Here we bridge developmental and evolutionary frameworks to examine adolescent girls' perception of their reliance on female friendship for social support, how perceptions of parental relationships affect peer relationships, and the extent to which parent and peer relationships buffer depressive symptoms. We predict perceived maternal relationship quality will be positively associated with close female friendships, and maternal relationships, paternal relationships, and female friendship will buffer depressive symptoms. Participants were adolescent girls from a summer science camp (N = 95). Participants filled out demographic information, social network surveys, the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale, and the Center for Epidemiology Depression Scale. Data was analyzed with Pearson's correlations, t tests, and path analysis. Adolescent girls with few female friends, compared with girls who had more than two very close female friends, experienced more depressive symptoms (t = 3.382, p = .001, D = 0.784). Adolescent girls with few female friends experienced more depressive symptoms compared to girls with two or more very close female friends (t = 3.382, p = .001, D = 0.784). Stronger maternal and paternal relationships were associated with having more female friends (maternal: t = -3.213, p = .003, D = 0.837; paternal: t = -2.432; p = .017). In the path analysis model, only maternal relationship quality significantly predicted female friendship category (β = .33, CR = 2.770, p < .006). Furthermore, participants with two or more very close female friends and higher paternal relationship quality had significantly fewer depressive symptoms (friends; β = -.19, CR = -2.112, p = .035; paternal: β = -.33, CR = -3.220, p < .001), and older participants had more depressive symptoms (β = .17, CR = -1.931, p = .036). These results provide additional support for the tend-and-befriend hypothesis, suggesting that maternal tending sets the stage for close female friendships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Rodrigues
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| | - Summer R Sanford
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.,Animas High School, Durango, Colorado
| | - Mary P Rogers
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| | - Katharine M N Lee
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| | - Meredith A Wilson
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| | - Jennifer Amos
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| | - Carla D Hunter
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| | - Kathryn B H Clancy
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
An Attachment Theoretical Perspective on Tend-and-Befriend Stress Reactions. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40806-019-00197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
22
|
Xu L, Becker B, Kendrick KM. Oxytocin Facilitates Social Learning by Promoting Conformity to Trusted Individuals. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:56. [PMID: 30787864 PMCID: PMC6372972 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is considerable interest in the role of the neuropeptide oxytocin in promoting social cohesion both in terms of promoting specific social bonds and also more generally for increasing our willingness to trust others and/or to conform to their opinions. These latter findings may also be important in the context of a modulatory role for oxytocin in improving the efficacy of behavioral therapy in psychiatric disorders. However, the original landmark studies claiming an important role for oxytocin in enhancing trust in others, primarily using economic game strategies, have been questioned by subsequent meta-analytic approaches or failure to reproduce findings in different contexts. On the other hand, a growing number of studies have consistently reported that oxytocin promotes conformity to the views of groups of in-group individuals. Most recently we have found that oxytocin can increase acceptance of social advice given by individual experts without influencing their perceived trustworthiness per se, but that increased conformity in this context is associated with how much an expert is initially trusted and liked. Oxytocin can also enhance the impact of information given by experts by facilitating expectancy and placebo effects. Here we therefore propose that a key role for oxytocin is not in facilitating social trust per se but in conforming to, and learning from, trusted individuals who are either in-group members and/or perceived experts. The implications of this for social learning and use of oxytocin as an adjunct to behavioral therapy in psychiatric disorders are discussed. Interpersonal trust within social groups is of key importance for social interactions, bonds, cooperation and learning and trust between different groups can also help ensure a stable and peaceful co-existence as well as mutually beneficial co-operation and trade. Trust is generally considered to be critical for co-operation and reciprocity in social and economic interactions but importantly trust also involves risk of potential injury if misplaced or broken and we have a natural aversion to taking such risks (Hardin, 2002; Ostrom and Walker, 2003). Indeed, an important factor influencing our trust behavior is that we are strongly motivated to avoid others betraying our trust (Bohnet and Zeckhauser, 2004; Bohnet et al., 2008). Trust can potentially be influenced by our assessment of the level of risk that trusting others might have and also by increased sensitivity to physical and/or other cues for detecting trustworthiness. It is therefore of great importance to identify both behavioral and physiological factors which can act to enhance trust, particularly in situations where individuals have impaired trust and therefore find it hard to interact socially with others and learn from them and/or to benefit optimally from cognitive and behavioral therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Keith M. Kendrick
- The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Youssef FF, Bachew R, Bissessar S, Crockett MJ, Faber NS. Sex differences in the effects of acute stress on behavior in the ultimatum game. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 96:126-131. [PMID: 29940425 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Acute stress affects human decision making. It has been argued that there are systematic sex differences in behavioral responses to acute stress, with males showing a 'fight or flight' and females showing a 'tend and befriend' response. A 'tend and befriend' response would suggest that women become more cooperative under acute stress, while men do not. We investigated the effects of acute stress on social behavior. We induced stress via the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and then immediately after measured how participants reacted to offers made in the ultimatum game by a male proposer. We found that female participants were less likely to reject offers under stress (n = 25) vs. no stress (n = 37), p = 0.009, independent of how fair these offers were, cooperative behavior consistent with the 'tend and befriend' hypothesis. Male participants when stressed (n = 30) did not show differences in rejections rates compared to the control condition (n = 26), p = 0.41. Our results provide support for a qualitatively different behavioral response to acute stress among men and women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farid F Youssef
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
| | - Raecho Bachew
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Satyavi Bissessar
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | | | - Nadira S Faber
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Christensen JF, Gomila A. Introduction: Art and the brain: From pleasure to well-being. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2018; 237:xxvii-xlvi. [PMID: 29779754 DOI: 10.1016/s0079-6123(18)30032-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Empirical aesthetics in general, and neuroaesthetics in particular, have been very much influenced by Berlyne's psychobiological program. For him, aesthetic appreciation involved the brain's reward and aversion systems. From this point of view, art constitutes a set of potentially rewarding stimuli. Research has certainly made great advances in understanding how the process of artistic valuation takes places, and which brain circuits are involved in generating the pleasure we obtain from artistic practices, performances, and works. But it also suggests that pleasure is not the only effect of the arts. The evidence rather suggests that the arts have other cognitive and emotional effects which are closely related to human psychobiological health and well-being. These are: (1) attentional focus and flow, (2) affective experience, (3) emotion through imagery, (4) interpersonal communication, (5) self-intimation, and (6) social bonding. These effects are beneficial and contribute to the individual's biopsychological health and well-being. The fact that artistic practice has these effects helps explain why the arts are so important to human life, and why they developed in the first place, i.e., as ways to foster these effects. Therefore, a biopsychological science of the arts is emerging, according to which the arts can be conceptualized as an important system of external self-regulation, as a set of activities that contribute to our homeostasis and well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia F Christensen
- BIAS Team (Prof. Manos Tsakiris), The Warburg Institute, School of Advanced Study, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Antoni Gomila
- Ed. Beatriu de Pinós, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Westenbroek C, Perry AN, Jagannathan L, Becker JB. Effect of social housing and oxytocin on the motivation to self-administer methamphetamine in female rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 203:10-17. [PMID: 29055749 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Social housing has been shown to attenuate the motivation for cocaine in female, but not male rats. Here we investigate the potential mechanisms mediating the effect of social housing on the response to methamphetamine (METH). Female rats were individually or socially (pair) housed. The dopamine (DA) response to an acute METH infusion (0.3mg/kg, i.v.) was investigated using in vivo microdialysis in the nucleus accumbens with or without oxytocin (OT; 0.3mg/kg, i.p.) 30min prior to METH. The effects of social housing and OT on self-administered METH (0.06mg/kg/inf) was investigated. The METH-induced DA response was higher in individually housed compared to socially-housed females. On the other hand, individually housed females had a significantly higher breaking point (BP) than socially-housed females. Two weeks of OT treatment reduced BP in both groups. Reinstatement to METH was more pronounced in isolates compared to socially-housed females. More of the socially-housed females had very low BP than did the individually housed females. OT was most effective in reducing BP in females with moderate to high BP, irrespective of housing conditions. These data show that social housing attenuates escalation of METH intake and reinstatement of METH seeking in female rats, and that chronic OT treatment can reduce motivation for METH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christel Westenbroek
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Adam N Perry
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Lakshmikripa Jagannathan
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jill B Becker
- Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sex Differences in the Effects of Psychosocial Stress on Cooperative and Prosocial Behavior: Evidence for ‘Flight or Fight’ in Males and ‘Tend and Befriend’ in Females. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-017-0062-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
|
27
|
Abstract
In the present chapter, we review the literature focusing on oxytocin (OT)-centered research in anxiety spectrum conditions, comprising separation anxiety disorder, specific phobias, social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and anxiety-related endophenotypes (e.g., trust behavior, behavioral inhibition, neuroticism, and state/trait anxiety). OT receptor gene (OXTR) polymorphisms have been implicated in gene-environment interactions with attachment style and childhood maltreatment and to influence clinical outcomes, including SAD intensity and limbic responsiveness. Epigenetic OXTR DNA methylation patterns have emerged as a link between categorical, dimensional, neuroendocrinological, and neuroimaging SAD correlates, highlighting them as potential peripheral surrogates of the central oxytocinergic tone. A pathophysiological framework of OT integrating the dynamic nature of epigenetic biomarkers and the summarized genetic and peripheral evidence is proposed. Finally, we emphasize opportunities and challenges of OT as a key network node of social interaction and fear learning in social contexts. In conjunction with multi-level investigations incorporating a dimensional understanding of social affiliation and avoidance in anxiety spectrum disorders, these concepts will help to promote research for diagnostic, state, and treatment response biomarkers of the OT system, advancing towards indicated preventive interventions and personalized treatment approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Gottschalk
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Margarete-Höppel-Platz 1, Würzburg, 97080, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 5, Freiburg im Breisgau, 79104, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Cardaillac C, Rua C, Simon E, El-Hage W. L’ocytocine et la dépression du post-partum. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 45:786-795. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgyn.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
29
|
Cardoso C, Valkanas H, Serravalle L, Ellenbogen MA. Oxytocin and social context moderate social support seeking in women during negative memory recall. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 70:63-9. [PMID: 27164224 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2015] [Revised: 05/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxytocin is theorized to promote social support seeking under stress- an alternate biobehavioural response to challenge known as the tend-and-befriend response. These effects may be context dependent, however, and no study has evaluated this effect in the presence and absence of social support. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of oxytocin on the experience of recalling emotional autobiographical memories in two contexts-with and without social contact with an experimenter. METHOD Sixty-three individuals (32 female) participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and within-subject study. RESULTS During recall of negative memories in the absence of social contact, oxytocin decreased perceived emotional support relative to placebo F(1,62)=10.75, p=0.002. In this same context, women who were motivated to affiliate with the experimenter following oxytocin administration showed this effect in greater magnitude t(57)=-2.04, p=0.047, but showed the reverse effect (i.e. increased perceived support in response to oxytocin) when social contact with the experimenter was available t(57)=2.78, p=0.007. Male participants did not evidence this pattern. CONCLUSION These findings support the role of oxytocin in social support seeking in distressed women, and highlight the negative consequences of increasing oxytocin bioavailability in the absence of social support. Supportive relationships may be necessary to elicit the prosocial effects oxytocin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Cardoso
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Helen Valkanas
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lisa Serravalle
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mark A Ellenbogen
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
|
31
|
Cavanaugh J, Carp SB, Rock CM, French JA. Oxytocin modulates behavioral and physiological responses to a stressor in marmoset monkeys. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 66:22-30. [PMID: 26771946 PMCID: PMC6007987 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Social isolation is a major source of stress and can lead to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The presence of a close social partner can reduce the magnitude of the HPA-axis response during a stressor, a phenomenon known as social buffering. The oxytocin (OXT) system has been identified as one candidate for mediating social buffering due to its role in the facilitation of social bonding and the expression of prosocial behavior. The goal of the present study was to determine whether the OXT system contributes to social buffering of HPA-axis activity in response to stressor exposure in marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus). Male and female marmosets experienced a standardized psychogenic stressor with and without their long-term mate under OXT-treatments (Pro(8)-OXT, Leu(8)-OXT, OXT antagonist, and saline); we assessed HPA-axis activity by measuring urinary cortisol across the stressor. We found that blocking, but not augmenting, the OXT system altered patterns of cortisol and proximity behavior in response to a stressor. We demonstrated that (1) the presence of a mate during a stressor significantly attenuated HPA-axis activity in female, but not male, marmosets; (2) male, but not female, marmosets treated with an OXT antagonist had significantly higher HPA-axis activity across the stressor than when they were treated with saline, suggesting that the OXT system may reduce the stressor-induced rise in cortisol levels; (3) male and female marmosets treated with an OXT antagonist spent significantly less time in close proximity to their mate during the first 30 min of the stressor than when they were treated with saline, suggesting that the OXT system may be important for the expression of partner-seeking behavior during a stressor. Thus, the OXT system and social context differentially influenced how the HPA-axis responded to a stressor in male and female marmosets, and may modulate HPA-axis activity by promoting the expression of proximity behavior with a close social partner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jon Cavanaugh
- Callitrichid Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States.
| | - Sarah B Carp
- Callitrichid Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States
| | - Chelsea M Rock
- Callitrichid Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States
| | - Jeffrey A French
- Callitrichid Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States; Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, United States
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Berger J, Heinrichs M, von Dawans B, Way BM, Chen FS. Cortisol modulates men's affiliative responses to acute social stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 63:1-9. [PMID: 26398000 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Revised: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The dominant characterization of the physiological and behavioral human stress reaction is the fight-or-flight response. On the other hand, it has been suggested that social affiliation during stressful times ("tend-and-befriend") also represents a common adaptive response to stress, particularly for women. In the current study, we investigate the extent to which men may also show affiliative responses following acute stress. In addition, we examine a potential neuroendocrine modulator of the hypothesized affiliative response. Eighty male students (forty dyads) were recruited to undergo either the Trier Social Stress Test for Groups (TSST-G) or a non-stressful control situation. Subsequently, participants completed a dyadic interaction task and were then asked to report their feelings of psychological closeness to their interaction partner. Although participants assigned to the stress condition did not differ overall on psychological closeness from participants assigned to the control condition, participants with high cortisol responses to the stressor showed significantly higher ratings of psychological closeness to their interaction partner than participants with low cortisol responses. Our findings suggest that men may form closer temporary bonds following stressful situations that are accompanied by a significant cortisol response. We suggest that the traditional characterization of the male stress response in terms of "fight-or-flight" may be incomplete, and that social affiliation may in fact represent a common, adaptive response to stress in men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justus Berger
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg i. Br., Germany.
| | - Markus Heinrichs
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg i. Br., Germany; Freiburg Brain Imaging Center, University Medical Center, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg i. Br., Germany.
| | - Bernadette von Dawans
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg i. Br., Germany.
| | - Baldwin M Way
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - Frances S Chen
- Department of Psychology, Laboratory for Biological and Personality Psychology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Freiburg i. Br., Germany; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wacker J, Smillie LD. Trait Extraversion and Dopamine Function. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
|
34
|
Emeny RT, Huber D, Bidlingmaier M, Reincke M, Klug G, Ladwig KH. Oxytocin-induced coping with stressful life events in old age depends on attachment: findings from the cross-sectional KORA Age study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 56:132-42. [PMID: 25827957 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Revised: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether oxytocin functions as a stress hormone in older age is unknown. We investigated oxytocin levels and the perceived stress of an adverse life event in an older population-representative sample and considered the effect of a secure/insecure attachment style on this association. METHODS Non-fasting plasma oxytocin was measured from 952 participants (65-90 years) of the cross sectional KORA-Age study. The psychological impact of an adverse life event was assessed based on the Psychosocial Stress Questionnaire. Attachment style was determined by the Relationship-Specific Attachment Scales for Adults. Linear regression models of oxytocin, stratified for attachment style, were controlled for age, sex, and further for alcohol, smoking, and physical activity. Adjusted least squares means of oxytocin were calculated. RESULTS Oxytocin levels did not differ between men and women (mean, 95% confidence interval (CI), 321 (277-365) and 309 (272-345)pg/ml, respectively). Oxytocin levels were positively associated with the experience of an adverse event (n=273, 29%) versus no event (n=679, 71%), in securely attached (β estimate=0.17, standard error (SE)=0.08, P value=0.03) but not in insecure participants (-0.10, 0.09), P=0.28). Oxytocin was positively associated with diminished stress among securely attached participant (event with little suffering: β=0.35. SE=0.12, great suffering: β=0.15. SE=0.14, severe suffering: β=0.03. SE=0.12). Among participants who reported minimal suffering, insecure individuals had lower oxytocin (adjusted mean, 95%CI: 172, 127-216 pg/ml) than securely attached individuals (279, 222-352 pg/ml, P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS These epidemiologic data support the hypothesis that oxytocin may have an attenuating effect on perceived stress due to adverse life events in old age. The conditional role of attachment style in stress-induced endogenous oxytocin production is highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dorothea Huber
- Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Klinikum Muenchen-Harlaching, München, Germany; International Psychoanalytic University (IPU), Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Bidlingmaier
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Campus Innenstadt-Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Martin Reincke
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Campus Innenstadt-Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Günther Klug
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie-Klinikum rechts der Isar, TU München, München, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Ladwig
- Institut für Epidemiologie II-Helmholtz Zentrum München, München, Germany; Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie-Klinikum rechts der Isar, TU München, München, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Crespi BJ. Oxytocin, testosterone, and human social cognition. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2015; 91:390-408. [PMID: 25631363 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
I describe an integrative social-evolutionary model for the adaptive significance of the human oxytocinergic system. The model is based on a role for this hormone in the generation and maintenance of social familiarity and affiliation across five homologous, functionally similar, and sequentially co-opted contexts: mothers with offspring, female and male mates, kin groups, individuals with reciprocity partners, and individuals within cooperating and competing social groups defined by culture. In each situation, oxytocin motivates, mediates and rewards the cognitive and behavioural processes that underlie the formation and dynamics of a more or less stable social group, and promotes a relationship between two or more individuals. Such relationships may be positive (eliciting neurological reward, reducing anxiety and thus indicating fitness-enhancing effects), or negative (increasing anxiety and distress, and thus motivating attempts to alleviate a problematic, fitness-reducing social situation). I also present evidence that testosterone exhibits opposite effects from oxytocin on diverse aspects of cognition and behaviour, most generally by favouring self-oriented, asocial and antisocial behaviours. I apply this model for effects of oxytocin and testosterone to understanding human psychological disorders centrally involving social behaviour. Reduced oxytocin and higher testosterone levels have been associated with under-developed social cognition, especially in autism. By contrast, some combination of oxytocin increased above normal levels, and lower testosterone, has been reported in a notable number of studies of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression, and, in some cases, higher oxytocin involves maladaptively 'hyper-developed' social cognition in these conditions. This pattern of findings suggests that human social cognition and behaviour are structured, in part, by joint and opposing effects of oxytocin and testosterone, and that extremes of such joint effects partially mediate risks and phenotypes of autism and psychotic-affective conditions. These considerations have direct implications for the development of therapies for alleviating disorders of social cognition, and for understanding how such disorders are associated with the evolution of human cognitive-affective architecture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernard J Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Decety J, Fotopoulou A. Why empathy has a beneficial impact on others in medicine: unifying theories. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 8:457. [PMID: 25642175 PMCID: PMC4294163 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The past decades have seen an explosion of studies on empathy in various academic domains including affective neuroscience, psychology, medicine, and economics. However, the volumes of research have almost exclusively focused on its evolutionary origins, development, and neurobiological bases, as well as how the experience of empathy is modulated by social context and interpersonal relationships. In the present paper, we examine a much less attended side of empathy: why it has a positive impact on others? After specifying what the construct of empathy encompasses, we briefly review the various effects of empathy on health outcomes in the domain of medicine. We then propose two non-mutually exclusive mechanistic explanations that contribute to explain the positive effects of physician empathy on patients. (1) The social baseline theory (SBT), building on social support research, proposes that the presence of other people helps individuals to conserve metabolically costly somatic and neural resources through the social regulation of emotion. (2) The free energy principle (FEP) postulates that the brain optimizes a (free energy) bound on surprise or its complement value to respond to environmental changes adaptively. These conceptualizations can be combined to provide a unifying integrative account of the benefits of physicians’ empathetic attitude on their patients and how it plays a role in healing beyond the mere effect of the therapeutic alliance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jean Decety
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago Medicine Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Aikaterini Fotopoulou
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
McQuaid RJ, McInnis OA, Matheson K, Anisman H. Distress of ostracism: oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism confers sensitivity to social exclusion. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2015; 10:1153-9. [PMID: 25564674 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsu166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A single-nucleotide polymorphism on the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR), rs53576, involving a guanine (G) to adenine (A) substitution has been associated with altered prosocial features. Specifically, individuals with the GG genotype (i.e. the absence of the polymorphism) display beneficial traits including enhanced trust, empathy and self-esteem. However, because G carriers might also be more socially sensitive, this may render them more vulnerable to the adverse effects of a negative social stressor. The current investigation, conducted among 128 white female undergraduate students, demonstrated that relative to individuals with AA genotype, G carriers were more emotionally sensitive (lower self-esteem) in response to social ostracism promoted through an on-line ball tossing game (Cyberball). Furthermore, GG individuals also exhibited altered blood pressure and cortisol levels following rejection, effects not apparent among A carriers. The data support the view that the presence of the G allele not only promotes prosocial behaviors but also favors sensitivity to a negative social stressor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kimberly Matheson
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S5B6 Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Haas BW, Ishak A, Anderson IW, Filkowski MM. The tendency to trust is reflected in human brain structure. Neuroimage 2014; 107:175-181. [PMID: 25485710 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.11.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trust is an important component of human social life. Within the brain, the function within a neural network implicated in interpersonal and social-cognitive processing is associated with the way trust-based decisions are made. However, it is currently unknown how localized structure within the healthy human brain is associated with the tendency to trust other people. This study was designed to test the prediction that individual differences in the tendency to trust are associated with regional gray matter volume within the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), amygdala and anterior insula. Behavioral and neuroimaging data were collected from a sample of 82 healthy participants. Individual differences in the tendency to trust were measured in two ways (self-report and behaviorally: trustworthiness evaluation of faces task). Voxel based morphometry analyses of high-resolution structural images (VBM8-DARTEL) were conducted to test for the association between the tendency to trust and regional gray matter volume. The results provide converging evidence that individuals characterized as trusting others more exhibit increased gray matter volume within the bilateral vmPFC and bilateral anterior insula. Greater right amygdala volume is associated with the tendency to rate faces as more trustworthy and distrustworthy (U-shaped function). A whole brain analysis also shows that the tendency to trust is reflected in the structure of dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. These findings advance neural models that associate the structure and function of the human brain with social decision-making and the tendency trust other people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Haas
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens GA, 30602, USA; Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Georgia, Athens GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Alexandra Ishak
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens GA, 30602, USA
| | - Ian W Anderson
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens GA, 30602, USA
| | - Megan M Filkowski
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens GA, 30602, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Cardoso C, Kingdon D, Ellenbogen MA. A meta-analytic review of the impact of intranasal oxytocin administration on cortisol concentrations during laboratory tasks: moderation by method and mental health. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 49:161-70. [PMID: 25086828 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A large body of research has examined the acute effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on social cognition and stress-regulation. While progress has been made with respect to understanding the effect of oxytocin administration on social cognition in clinical populations (e.g. autism, schizophrenia), less is known about its impact on the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis among individuals with a mental disorder. METHOD We conducted a meta-analysis on the acute effect of intranasal oxytocin administration on the cortisol response to laboratory tasks. The search yielded eighteen studies employing a randomized, placebo-controlled design (k=18, N=675). Random-effects models and moderator analyses were performed using the metafor package for the statistical program R. RESULTS The overall effect size estimate was modest and not statistically significant (Hedges g=-0.151, p=0.11) with moderate heterogeneity in this effect across studies (I(2)=31%). Controlling for baseline differences in cortisol concentrations, moderation analyses revealed that this effect was larger in response to challenging laboratory tasks that produced a robust stimulation of the HPA-axis (Hedges g=-0.433, 95% CI[-0.841, -0.025]), and in clinical populations relative to healthy controls (Hedges g=-0.742, 95% CI[-1.405, -0.078]). CONCLUSION Overall, oxytocin administration showed greater attenuation of the cortisol response to laboratory tasks that strongly activated the HPA-axis, relative to tasks that did not. The effect was more robust among clinical populations, suggesting possible increased sensitivity to oxytocin among those with a clinical diagnosis and concomitant social difficulties. These data support the view that oxytocin may play an important role in HPA dysfunction associated with psychopathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Cardoso
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada H4B 1R6.
| | - Danielle Kingdon
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada H4B 1R6
| | - Mark A Ellenbogen
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada H4B 1R6
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
McQuaid RJ, McInnis OA, Abizaid A, Anisman H. Making room for oxytocin in understanding depression. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 45:305-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Revised: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
|
41
|
Saito A, Hamada H, Kikusui T, Mogi K, Nagasawa M, Mitsui S, Higuchi T, Hasegawa T, Hiraki K. Urinary oxytocin positively correlates with performance in facial visual search in unmarried males, without specific reaction to infant face. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:217. [PMID: 25120420 PMCID: PMC4114186 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptide oxytocin plays a central role in prosocial and parental behavior in non-human mammals as well as humans. It has been suggested that oxytocin may affect visual processing of infant faces and emotional reaction to infants. Healthy male volunteers (N = 13) were tested for their ability to detect infant or adult faces among adult or infant faces (facial visual search task). Urine samples were collected from all participants before the study to measure the concentration of oxytocin. Urinary oxytocin positively correlated with performance in the facial visual search task. However, task performance and its correlation with oxytocin concentration did not differ between infant faces and adult faces. Our data suggests that endogenous oxytocin is related to facial visual cognition, but does not promote infant-specific responses in unmarried men who are not fathers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Saito
- Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Hamada
- Department of General Systems Studies, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shohei Mitsui
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, Azabu University Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Higuchi
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui Fukui, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Hasegawa
- Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Science, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Hiraki
- Department of General Systems Studies, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan ; JST, CREST Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Tend-and-befriend is a beacon for change in stress research: a reply to Tops. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 45:212-3. [PMID: 24755423 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
43
|
Tops M. Oxytocin and the familiarization-habituation response: Commenting on: Cardoso, C., Ellenbogen, M.A., Serravalle, L., Linnen, A.M., 2013. Stress-induced negative mood moderates the relation between oxytocin administration and trust: evidence for the tend-and-befriend response to stress? Psychoneuroendocrinology 38, 2800-2804. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014; 45:211. [PMID: 24755424 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mattie Tops
- Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam, van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsteradam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Cardoso C, Ellenbogen MA. Oxytocin and psychotherapy: keeping context and person in mind. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:3172-3. [PMID: 24035601 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Cardoso
- Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Tops M, Huffmeijer R, Linting M, Grewen KM, Light KC, Koole SL, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, van Ijzendoorn MH. The role of oxytocin in familiarization-habituation responses to social novelty. Front Psychol 2013; 4:761. [PMID: 24151482 PMCID: PMC3798760 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress or arousal responses to novel social contexts ease off when individuals get familiar with the social context. In the present study we investigated whether oxytocin is involved in this process of familiarization-habituation as oxytocin is known to increase trust and decrease anxiety. Fifty-nine healthy female subjects took part in the same experimental procedure in two sessions separated by 4 weeks. In the first (novelty) session state trust scores were significantly positively correlated with salivary oxytocin levels while in the second (familiarity) session state trust scores were significantly negatively correlated with salivary oxytocin levels. In a path model oxytocin was associated with increased trust in the novelty session and trust was associated with decreased oxytocin levels in the familiarity session. The results are consistent with the idea that oxytocin decreases stress-to-novelty responses by promoting familiarization to novel social contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mattie Tops
- Centre for Child and Family Studies, Leiden University Leiden, Netherlands ; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University Leiden, Netherlands ; Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|