Genetic and Peripheral Markers of the Oxytocin System and Parental Care Jointly Support the Cross-Generational Transmission of Bonding across Three Generations

Studies have repeatedly shown that oxytocin (OT), a nine-amino-acid neuropeptide synthesized in the hypothalamus, plays a critical role in human social affiliations and in the formation of attachment bonds, particularly the parent-infant bond (Feldman et al., 2011; Feldman et al., 2007; Gordon et al., 2010). Children experiencing high-quality caregiving from their parents, as measured by direct observations of sensitive parenting that is characterized by enhanced positive affect, social gaze, affectionate touch, and warm vocalizations, showed higher levels of peripheral OT and better social competencies (Feldman et al., 2013; Weisman et al., 2015).

Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology - December 7, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Takeo Fujiwara, Omri Weisman, Manami Ochi, Kokoro Shirai, Kenji Matsumoto, Emiko Noguchi, Ruth Feldman Source Type: research