@article {3066, title = {Oxytocin and social affiliation in humans}, journal = {Horm Behav}, volume = {61}, number = {3}, year = {2012}, note = {Feldman, Ruth
eng
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t
Research Support, U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t, Non-P.H.S.
Review
2012/01/31 06:00
Horm Behav. 2012 Mar;61(3):380-91. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.01.008. Epub 2012 Jan 20.}, month = {Mar}, pages = {380-91}, abstract = {A conceptual model detailing the process of bio-behavioral synchrony between the online physiological and behavioral responses of attachment partners during social contact is presented as a theoretical and empirical framework for the study of affiliative bonds. Guided by an ethological behavior-based approach, we suggest that micro-level social behaviors in the gaze, vocal, affective, and touch modalities are dynamically integrated with online physiological processes and hormonal response to create dyad-specific affiliations. Studies across multiple attachments throughout life are presented and demonstrate that the extended oxytocin (OT) system provides the neurohormonal substrate for parental, romantic, and filial attachment in humans; that the three prototypes of affiliation are expressed in similar constellations of social behavior; and that OT is stable over time within individuals, is mutually-influencing among partners, and that mechanisms of cross-generation and inter-couple transmission relate to coordinated social behavior. Research showing links between peripheral and genetic markers of OT with concurrent parenting and memories of parental care; between administration of OT to parent and infant{\textquoteright}s physiological readiness for social engagement; and between neuropeptides and the online synchrony of maternal and paternal brain response in social-cognitive and empathy networks support the hypothesis that human attachment develops within the matrix of biological attunement and close behavioral synchrony. The findings have conceptual implications for the study of inter-subjectivity as well as translational implications for the treatment of social disorders originating in early childhood, such as autism spectrum disorders, or those associated with disruptions to early bonding, such as postpartum depression or child abuse and neglect. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Oxytocin, Vasopressin, and Social Behavior.}, keywords = {*Social Behavior, Animals, Autistic Disorder/genetics/psychology, Friends, Humans, Love, Maternal Behavior, Object Attachment, Oxytocin/genetics/pharmacology/*physiology, Paternal Behavior}, isbn = {1095-6867 (Electronic)
0018-506X (Linking)}, author = {Feldman, R.} } @article {3071, title = {Affiliation buffers stress: cumulative genetic risk in oxytocin-vasopressin genes combines with early caregiving to predict PTSD in war-exposed young children}, journal = {Transl Psychiatry}, volume = {4}, year = {2014}, note = {Feldman, R
Vengrober, A
Ebstein, R P
eng
Duplicate Publication
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t
2014/03/13 06:00
Transl Psychiatry. 2014 Mar 11;4:e370. doi: 10.1038/tp.2014.6.}, pages = {e370}, abstract = {Research indicates that risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is shaped by the interaction between genetic vulnerability and early caregiving experiences; yet, caregiving has typically been assessed by adult retrospective accounts. Here, we employed a prospective longitudinal design with real-time observations of early caregiving combined with assessment of genetic liability along the axis of vasopressin-oxytocin (OT) gene pathways to test G x E contributions to PTSD. Participants were 232 young Israeli children (1.5-5 years) and their parents, including 148 living in zones of continuous war and 84 controls. A cumulative genetic risk factor was computed for each family member by summing five risk alleles across three genes (OXTR, CD38 and AVPR1a) previously associated with psychopathology, sociality and caregiving. Child PTSD was diagnosed and mother-child interactions were observed in multiple contexts. In middle childhood (7-8 years), child psychopathology was re-evaluated. War exposure increased propensity to develop Axis-I disorder by threefold: 60\% of exposed children displayed a psychiatric disorder by middle childhood and 62\% of those showed several comorbid disorders. On the other hand, maternal sensitive support reduced risk for psychopathology. G x E effect was found for child genetic risk: in the context of war exposure, greater genetic risk on the vasopressin-OT pathway increased propensity for psychopathology. Among exposed children, chronicity of PTSD from early to middle childhood was related to higher child, maternal and paternal genetic risk, low maternal support and greater initial avoidance symptoms. Child avoidance was predicted by low maternal support and reduced mother-child reciprocity. These findings underscore the saliency of both genetic and behavioral facets of the human affiliation system in shaping vulnerability to PTSD as well as providing an underlying mechanism of post-traumatic resilience.}, keywords = {*Gene-Environment Interaction, *Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Adult, Child, Child Rearing/*psychology, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Mother-Child Relations/*psychology, Receptors, Oxytocin/*genetics, Receptors, Vasopressin/*genetics, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/*etiology/genetics, Warfare}, isbn = {2158-3188 (Electronic)
2158-3188 (Linking)}, author = {Feldman, R. and Vengrober, A. and Ebstein, R. P.} } @article {4506, title = {The nature of the mother{\textquoteright}s tie to her infant: maternal bonding under conditions of proximity, separation, and potential loss}, journal = {J Child Psychol Psychiatry}, volume = {40}, number = {6}, year = {1999}, note = {Feldman, R
Weller, A
Leckman, J F
Kuint, J
Eidelman, A I
eng
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov{\textquoteright}t
England
1999/10/06 00:00
J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1999 Sep;40(6):929-39.}, month = {Sep}, pages = {929-39}, abstract = {Attachment has generally been examined from the infant{\textquoteright}s perspective. We focused on mothers{\textquoteright} post-partum thoughts and behaviors. Guided by an ethological approach, maternal bonding was examined under conditions of proximity, separation, and potential loss. Ninety-one mothers were interviewed: mothers of full-term infants who maintained continuous proximity to the infant, mothers of healthy premature infants who were separated from the infant, and mothers of very low birthweight infants who experienced potential loss and prolonged separation. Mothers of term infants reported medium-to-high levels of preoccupations with thoughts of infant safety and well-being. Preoccupations increased with separation (Group 2) and significantly decreased with impending loss (Group 3). Attachment behaviors and representations were the highest among mothers of term infants and declined linearly with the duration of mother-infant separation. Maternal trait anxiety and depression were related respectively to higher levels of preoccupations and reduced attachment behaviors and representations, independent of the infant medical condition and mother-child separation. Discussion focused on the comparability of maternal and infant attachment in relation to the neurobiological system underlying bond formation.}, keywords = {*Anxiety, Separation, *Infant, Premature, *Infant, Very Low Birth Weight, *Mother-Child Relations, *Object Attachment, Adult, Female, Hospitalization, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Maternal Behavior/*psychology, Pregnancy}, isbn = {0021-9630 (Print)
0021-9630 (Linking)}, author = {Feldman, R. and Weller, A. and Leckman, J. F. and Kuint, J. and Eidelman, A. I.} }