Mothers’ and Children’s Concentrations of Oxytocin Following Close, Physical Interactions with Biological and Non-biological Children.

TitleMothers' and Children's Concentrations of Oxytocin Following Close, Physical Interactions with Biological and Non-biological Children.
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsBick, Johanna, and Mary Dozier
PubMed ID20953313
PubMed Central IDPMC2953948
Grant ListF31 MH085423 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
F31 MH085423-01 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH052135 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH052135-06A2 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH052135-07 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH052135-08 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH052135-09 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH052135-10 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH052135-11A1 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH052135-12 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH052135-13 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH074374 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH074374-01A1 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH074374-02 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH074374-03 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH074374-04 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH074374-05 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH084135 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH084135-01A1 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH084135-02 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH084135-03 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH084135-04 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States

The current study examined the concentration of mothers’ peripherally produced oxytocin after close physical interactions with their biological and non-biological children. Each of 35 mothers and children participated in a computer game that promoted physical contact. In one interaction context, mothers interacted with their own children, and in the other context, mothers interacted with unfamiliar children. After the activity, urine samples were collected from the mothers and were assayed for oxytocin. Data from 26 mothers were available for oxytocin analyses. Oxytocin levels were higher among mothers following interactions with unfamiliar children than following interactions with their own children. Possible explanations for the differences in oxytocin levels across contexts are discussed.

Title Mothers' and Children's Concentrations of Oxytocin Following Close, Physical Interactions with Biological and Non-biological Children.
Publication Title Dev Psychobiol
Publication Type Journal Article
Published Year 2010
Authors J. Bick; M. Dozier
ISSN Number 1098-2302
PubMed ID 20953313
PubMed Central ID PMC2953948
Grant List
F31 MH085423 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
F31 MH085423-01 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH052135 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH052135-06A2 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH052135-07 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH052135-08 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH052135-09 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH052135-10 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH052135-11A1 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH052135-12 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH052135-13 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH074374 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH074374-01A1 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH074374-02 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH074374-03 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH074374-04 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH074374-05 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH084135 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH084135-01A1 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH084135-02 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH084135-03 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States
R01 MH084135-04 MH NIMH NIH HHS United States

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

For breaking news and to stay connected, follow us on social media. Sign up to get our E-News delivered straight to your inbox.