1
|
Ryan J, Phyo AZZ, Krasniqi SP, Carkaxhiu SI, Fransquet P, Kaas‐Petersen SH, Limani DA, Xhemaili VD, Salihu M, Prapashtica Q, Zekaj N, Turjaka V, Wang S, Rushiti F, Hjort L. An epigenome-wide study of a needs-based family intervention for offspring of trauma-exposed mothers in Kosovo. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e70029. [PMID: 39262181 PMCID: PMC11391026 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.70029] [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: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal stress and trauma during pregnancy have been shown to influence cortisol levels and epigenetic patterns, including DNA methylation, in the offspring. This study aimed to determine whether a tailor-made family intervention could help reduce cortisol levels in children born to traumatized mothers, and to determine whether it effected offspring DNA methylation. The secondary aim was to determine whether the family intervention influenced DNA methylation aging, a marker of biological aging. METHODS A needs-based family intervention was designed to help address relational difficulties and family functioning, and included a focus on family strengths and problem-solving patterns. Women survivors of sexual violence during the Kosovar war in 1998-1999, and their families (children with or without partners) were randomly assigned to 10 sessions of a family therapy over a 3-5-month period, or to a waitlist control group. Both mothers and children completed assessments prior to and after the intervention phase. Children's blood samples collected at these two time points were used to measure cortisol and epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns (Illumina EPIC array). Cortisol levels, and genome-wide DNA methylation changes pre-/postintervention were compared between children in the intervention and the waitlist groups. DNA methylation age and accelerated biological aging were calculated. RESULTS Sixty-two women-child dyads completed the study, 30 were assigned first to the intervention group, and 32 to the waitlist control group. In adjusted linear regression, the family intervention was associated with a significant decline in cortisol levels compared to the waitlist control (β = -124.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -197.4 to -52.1, p = .001). Children in the intervention group, compared to the waitlist control group, showed >1% differential methylation degree at 5819 CpG (5'-C-phosphate-G-3') sites across the genome (p < .01), with the largest methylation difference being 21%. However, none of these differences reached genome-wide significant levels. There was no significant difference in DNA methylation aging between the two groups. CONCLUSION We find evidence that a tailored family-based intervention reduced stress levels in the children (based on cortisol levels), and modified DNA methylation levels at a number of sites across the genome. This study provides some preliminary evidence to suggest the potential for tailored interventions to help break the intergenerational transmission of trauma, however, large studies powered to detect associations at genome-wide significant levels are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Ryan
- Biological Neuropsychiatry and Dementia Unit, School of Public Health and Preventative MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Aung Zaw Zaw Phyo
- Biological Neuropsychiatry and Dementia Unit, School of Public Health and Preventative MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | | | | | - Peter Fransquet
- Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, Centre for Social & Early Emotional DevelopmentDeakin UniversityGeelongVictoriaAustralia
| | | | | | | | - Mimoza Salihu
- Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT)Pristina KosovoAustralia
| | | | - Nebahate Zekaj
- Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT)Pristina KosovoAustralia
| | - Vesa Turjaka
- Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT)Pristina KosovoAustralia
| | - Shr‐Jie Wang
- The Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY)CopenhagenDenmark
| | - Feride Rushiti
- Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT)Pristina KosovoAustralia
| | - Line Hjort
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Metabolic Epigenetics Group, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Obstetrics, Center for Pregnant Women with DiabetesCopenhagen University HospitalCopenhagenDenmark
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Aguilar-Cordero MJ, Michel-Araya S, Noack Segovia JP, Latorre-García J, Rojas-Carvajal AM, Castillos RF. Salivary Cortisol Levels after Hydrotherapy and Land-Based Therapy as a Marker of Stress in Children with Psychomotor Developmental Disorders: A Pilot Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4147. [PMID: 39064187 PMCID: PMC11278197 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144147] [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: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The number of children experiencing postnatal situations of neurological risk (such as psycho-motor developmental disorders and delays) after birth has increased in recent years. These infants often require multiple pediatric interventions to address functional problems that might generate stress, anxiety, and discomfort. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the level of salivary cortisol, as a stress marker, increases after hydrotherapy and land-based therapy in children at risk of or currently presenting delayed psycho-motor development. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from 25 children (aged 3-36 months) between June 2022 and January 2023 at the Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Clinical Management Unit of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain. Three samples were collected from each child, representing baseline, post-hydrotherapy and post-land-based therapy. Result: All salivary cortisol levels were within the normal range. Resting values were the highest, and both modes of therapy decreased salivary cortisol levels. There were no statistically significant differences between the two therapies. Conclusions: Both therapies appear to be useful for treating children with psychomotor developmental disorders without increasing stress during physiotherapy sessions. Although cortisol levels were slightly higher with hydrotherapy than with land-based therapy, this may be due to the small sample size.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María José Aguilar-Cordero
- CTS-367, Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.J.A.-C.); (S.M.-A.); (J.P.N.S.); (J.L.-G.); (R.F.C.)
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- San Cecilio University Hospital (PTS), 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Sabina Michel-Araya
- CTS-367, Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.J.A.-C.); (S.M.-A.); (J.P.N.S.); (J.L.-G.); (R.F.C.)
| | - Jessica Pamela Noack Segovia
- CTS-367, Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.J.A.-C.); (S.M.-A.); (J.P.N.S.); (J.L.-G.); (R.F.C.)
- Department of Nursing, University of Santo Tomás, Talca 3460000, Chile
| | - Julio Latorre-García
- CTS-367, Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.J.A.-C.); (S.M.-A.); (J.P.N.S.); (J.L.-G.); (R.F.C.)
- Neurotraumatology and Rehabilitation, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Ibs.Granada, Health Research Institute, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Ana María Rojas-Carvajal
- CTS-367, Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.J.A.-C.); (S.M.-A.); (J.P.N.S.); (J.L.-G.); (R.F.C.)
| | - Rafael Fernández Castillos
- CTS-367, Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.J.A.-C.); (S.M.-A.); (J.P.N.S.); (J.L.-G.); (R.F.C.)
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Ibs.Granada, Health Research Institute, 18071 Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mattheß J, Koch G, Keil T, Roll S, Berghöfer A, Ludwig-Körner C, Schlensog-Schuster F, Sprengeler MK, von Klitzing K, Kuchinke L. Past attachment experiences, the potential link of mentalization and the transmission of behavior to the child by mothers with mental health problems: cross-sectional analysis of a clinical sample. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:1883-1894. [PMID: 37668699 PMCID: PMC11211145 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02291-9] [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: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Maternal capacity to mentalize (= reflective functioning, RF), secure attachment and emotionally available parenting has an impact on the child's development. The transmission of mothers' past attachment experiences gained with both her caregivers in her own childhood and the impact on current mother-child interaction is part of the 'transmission gap.' This study explores the transgenerational transmission mechanisms and the potential moderating effect of RF in a clinical sample of 113 mother-child dyads suffering from mental health problems. In a cross-sectional study, the associations between maternal attachment experiences, RF (coded based on Adult Attachment Interviews) and current mother-child interaction (Emotional Availability Scales) were examined with univariate correlation, moderator analyses, and structural equation models. We found relationships between attachment experiences and mother-child interaction, but RF had no moderating effect. Past loving experiences and perceived neglection, particularly with the own father in childhood, were predictors for the present mother-child interaction. There seems to be an intergenerational transmission of attachment experiences to the ongoing generation. Particularly past adverse childhood experiences with the own father seem to explain currently disruptive interactions with the child.Trial registration: DRKS00017008 and DRKS00016353.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janna Mattheß
- International Psychoanalytic University, Stromstr. 3B, 10555, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Gabriele Koch
- International Psychoanalytic University, Stromstr. 3B, 10555, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Keil
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Wuerzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- State Institute of Health I, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Roll
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Berghöfer
- Institute of Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Franziska Schlensog-Schuster
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mona Katharina Sprengeler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kai von Klitzing
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lars Kuchinke
- International Psychoanalytic University, Stromstr. 3B, 10555, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vacaru SV, Parenteau AM, Yi S, Silvers JA, Hostinar CE, de Weerth C. Adolescents' hair cortisol concentrations during COVID-19: Evidence from two longitudinal studies in the Netherlands and the United States. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22438. [PMID: 38010307 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged stress exposure is associated with alterations in cortisol output. The COVID-19 pandemic represented a stressor for many, including children. However, a high-quality caregiving environment may protect against psychological problems and possibly against elevations in cortisol. We examined adolescents' physiological stress responses to the pandemic and the role of attachment in two longitudinal samples from the Netherlands and the United States (https://aspredicted.org/HHY_8MK). METHODS Cortisol was assessed from hair samples before and during the pandemic, while attachment was self-reported prepandemic. Study 1 included a Dutch sample (N = 158; examined at ages 10 and later at 14 years old), whereas Study 2 included a US sample (N = 153; examined at ages 9-11 and again 2 years later) and an age-matched prepandemic sample (N = 29, 10-13 years old). Repeated-measures analyses of variance examined changes in cortisol from prepandemic to during the pandemic and the effect of attachment in each sample separately. RESULTS After accounting for age, both studies revealed nonsignificant changes in hair cortisol and a nonsignificant effect of attachment. A significant effect of sex emerged in Study 1, with Dutch girls showing a significant cortisol increase during the pandemic, which was not explained by puberty. CONCLUSION These findings suggest differential associations of the pandemic with hair cortisol increases by sex and country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania V Vacaru
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies & Amsterdam Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna M Parenteau
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Sydney Yi
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jennifer A Silvers
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Camelia E Hostinar
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chopik WJ, Nuttall AK, Oh J. Relationship-specific Satisfaction and Adjustment in Emerging Adulthood: The Moderating Role of Adult Attachment Orientation. JOURNAL OF ADULT DEVELOPMENT 2022; 29:40-52. [PMID: 35342275 PMCID: PMC8942393 DOI: 10.1007/s10804-021-09380-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Highly satisfying social relationships make us happy and healthy-they fill us with joy and a sense of meaning and purpose. But do all the relationships in our lives contribute equally to our well-being and do some people benefit more from certain relationships? The current study examined associations between the satisfaction of specific relationships within a family (i.e., with parents, siblings) and adjustment (i.e., life satisfaction and depressive symptoms) among 572 emerging adults aged 18-25 (M age = 19.95, SD = 1.42; 77.4% female). Overall, relationship satisfaction with mothers and fathers was associated with better adjustment. Attachment anxiety and avoidance moderated associations between relationship-specific satisfaction and adjustment. We discuss the findings in the context of the shifting of attachment functions during emerging adulthood and the dynamic nature of close relationships across the lifespan.
Collapse
|
6
|
Scott MG, Smiley PA, Ahn A, Lazarus MF, Borelli JL, Doan SN. A mother's touch: Preschool-aged children are regulated by positive maternal touch. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22243. [PMID: 35191531 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22243] [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: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Positive maternal touch plays an important role in the development of children's physiological regulation and cognitive development in infancy, as well as the development of sociality in early childhood. However, few studies have looked beyond infancy to consider the possible continuing impact of positive maternal touch on child stress reactivity during early childhood. A diverse community sample of mothers (N = 114, Mage = 33.52 years, SD = 5.33) and their preschool-aged children (Mage = 41.68 months, SD = 4.67; 49.1% female) participated in the study. Basic demographics were reported by mothers. We coded maternal touch behaviors during an emotionally charged laboratory conversation task and assessed children's physiological reactivity to stressful laboratory tasks with salivary cortisol. Results reveal a significant negative association between positive maternal touch and child salivary cortisol reactivity. In addition, family income, adjusted for family size, and child sex were significantly associated with child cortisol stress reactivity. Findings are discussed in terms of persistent downregulating effects of positive maternal touch on child stress reactivity, as well as possible links of stress reactivity with family income, a proxy for economic stress, and child sex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirenna G Scott
- Department of Psychological Science, Pomona College, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Patricia A Smiley
- Department of Psychological Science, Pomona College, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Ashley Ahn
- Department of Psychological Science, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Molly F Lazarus
- Department of Psychology, Scripps College, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Jessica L Borelli
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Stacey N Doan
- Department of Psychological Science, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Still Mother after All These Years: Infants Still Prefer Mothers over Fathers (If They Have the Choice). SOCIAL SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/socsci11020051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fathering and mothering have changed in many ways within the last decades. Earlier studies showed a clear hierarchy in infant attachment figures with a preference for mothers. This study examined whether infants in the 21st century still prefer mothers over fathers in their expression of attachment behaviors, whether differences in parental involvement still exist, and whether this will result in differences in attachment security to mother and father. A total of 50 German families with infants between 10 and 19 months were observed in an experimental setting and during home visits. Parents reported on their involvement. The results revealed a clear hierarchy with regard to the duration of attachment behaviors directed towards mothers, followed by fathers and strangers. Mothers reported to be more involved in child care on weekdays compared to fathers. Involvement was not associated with attachment variables. Attachment security to mother and father was positively related and did not differ significantly. Infants in the 21st century in a Western country still prefer mothers over fathers in their expression of attachment behaviors. Mothers were more involved in child care than fathers. However, these differences did not result in differences in attachment security to mother and father.
Collapse
|
8
|
Tadros E, Ansell A. Romantic attachment, childhood stability, depression, and PTSD in couples with an incarcerated partner. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:619-629. [PMID: 34985138 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Incarceration has a multitude of effects on prisoners' finances, health, education, employment, and family relationships. Incarceration complicates the maintenance of attachment bonds between romantic partners. Data from the Multi-site Family Study on Incarceration, Parenting, and Partnering were analyzed to examine the effects of childhood stability on adult romantic attachment while controlling for the effects of PTSD and depression within the carceral population. Findings indicate that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression have statistically significant effects on adult romantic attachment. PTSD on romantic attachment for men is statistically significant (p < 0.05) at -0.193 with an overall standardized effect of -0.086. For women, the effect is statistically significant (p < 0.01) at -0.235 with an overall standardized effect of -0.1. Effects of depression on romantic attachment for men is statistically significant (p < 0.001) -0.129 with an overall standardized effect of -0.229. For women, depression is also statistically significant (p < 0.001) at -0.153 with a standardized effect of -0.265. We examined the effects of childhood stability on adult romantic attachment while controlling for the effects of PTSD and depression within the carceral population. Findings supported our hypothesis that individuals with better childhood stability will experience better romantic attachments. Findings related to our hypothesis that having a partner with better childhood stability is positively associated with better romantic attachment produced mixed results. Clinical implications are discussed, and future directions call for research, practice, and training to improve outcomes for justice-involved romantic partners, their attachment, and consideration of covariates of depression and PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eman Tadros
- Governors State University, University Park, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrew Ansell
- Governors State University, University Park, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Dagan O, Sagi-Schwartz A. Early attachment networks to multiple caregivers: History, assessment models, and future research recommendations. New Dir Child Adolesc Dev 2021; 2021:9-19. [PMID: 34936190 DOI: 10.1002/cad.20446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Early attachment has been commonly hypothesized to predict children's future developmental outcomes, and robust evidence relying on assessments of single caregiver-child attachment patterns has corroborated this hypothesis. Nevertheless, most often children are raised by multiple caregivers, and they tend to form attachment bonds with more than one of them. In this paper, we briefly describe the conceptual and empirical roots underlying the notion of attachment networks to multiple caregivers. We detail potential reasons for research focusing on a single caregiver (most often mothers, but recently also fathers) and the historical attempts to establish a more ecologically valid assessment of attachment to multiple caregivers. Finally, we describe a recently developed organizational framework that includes testable models on which future research may rely for assessing the predictive power of attachment networks to multiple caregivers on children's developmental outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Or Dagan
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Abraham Sagi-Schwartz
- Center for the Study of Child Development and School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wu Y, Veerareddy A, Lee MR, Bellucci G, Camilleri JA, Eickhoff SB, Krueger F. Understanding identification-based trust in the light of affiliative bonding: Meta-analytic neuroimaging evidence. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:627-641. [PMID: 34606821 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Trust is vital for establishing social relationships and is a crucial precursor for affiliative bonds. Investigations explored the neuropsychological bases of trust separately (e.g., measured by the trust game) and affiliative bonding (e.g., measured by parental care, pair-bonding, or friendship). However, direct empirical support for the shared neural mechanisms between trust and affiliative bonding is missing. Here, we conducted a coordinate-based meta-analysis on functional magnetic resonance imaging studies on interpersonal trust and affiliative bonding using the activation likelihood estimation method. Our results demonstrated that decisions to trust strangers in repeated interactions (i.e., identification-based trust) engaged the ventral striatum (vSTR, part of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway), likely signaling the reward anticipation. Further, both feedbacks in repeated interactions and affiliative bonding engaged the dorsal striatum (dSTR, part of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway), likely encoding learning dynamics. Our findings suggest that identification-based trust can be understood in the light of affiliative bonding, involving the mesocorticolimbic "reward" pathway (vSTR) and nigrostriatal "habit formation" pathway (dSTR) in building and sustaining social relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wu
- Department of Psychology, College of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | | | - Mary R Lee
- US Department of Veteran Affairs, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Gabriele Bellucci
- Department of Computational Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julia A Camilleri
- Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7), Research Center Jülich, Germany; Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Simon B Eickhoff
- Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-7), Research Center Jülich, Germany; Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frank Krueger
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
An D, Kochanska G, Yeager N, Sivagurunathan N, Praska R, Campbell R, Shin SY. Children's emerging receptive, positive orientation toward their parents in the network of early attachment relationships. Attach Hum Dev 2021; 23:687-709. [PMID: 33821755 PMCID: PMC8492794 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2021.1906722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Early security plays a major role in inaugurating the child's receptive, positive orientation - a foundation for cooperative parent-child relationships and successful socialization. However, few studies have considered the association between children's attachments with both mothers and fathers and multiple aspects of children's receptive, positive orientation, or compared all four attachment groups (secure, avoidant, resistant, and disorganized). In 192 mother-child and 186 father-child dyads from community families, children's attachment was assessed at 15-17 months in Strange Situation Paradigm. Aspects of receptive, positive orientation toward each parent - positive affect, committed compliance, empathic concern, and restraint in response to parental prohibition - were observed in naturalistic laboratory contexts. Generally, securely attached children were more receptive and positive than insecure, although specific effects depended on the measure, comparison group (avoidant, resistant, disorganized), and the relationship (mother- or father-child). For positive orientation in the father-child dyads, being secure with both parents conferred a modest additional benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danming An
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Grazyna Kochanska
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Nicole Yeager
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | | | - Rochelle Praska
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Robin Campbell
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Sung Yi Shin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bader LR, Tan L, Gonzalez R, Saini EK, Bae Y, Provenzi L, Volling BL. Adrenocortical interdependence in father-infant and mother-infant dyads: Attunement or something more? Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:1534-1548. [PMID: 33615462 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Father-infant and mother-infant (one-year-olds) adrenocortical attunement was explored during the Strange Situation Procedure (SSP) among 125 father-infant and 141 mother-infant dyads. Cortisol was assessed at baseline (T1), 20 (T2), and 40 minutes (T3) after the first parent-infant separation. Initial correlations indicated significant associations between father-infant and mother-infant cortisol at each time. Cortisol interdependence was further explored using Actor-Partner Interdependence Models. There was no evidence supporting cortisol interdependence based on within-time residual correlations between parent-infant cortisol, once stability and cross-lagged paths were controlled. Infant cortisol at T2 predicted T3 cortisol for fathers and mothers resulting in a series of follow-up exploratory analyses to examine mediating processes which revealed that infant distress during the SSP predicted infant T2 cortisol, which, in turn, predicted infant negativity during the 15-min mother-infant teaching task that followed the SSP. Among father-infant dyads, infant T2 cortisol predicted infant negativity during father-infant interaction, with infants expressing more negativity having less sensitive fathers. Findings provide little support of parent-infant adrenocortical attunement across either father-infant or mother-infant dyads during the SSP, but preliminary evidence indicates infant distress as a potential mediator. Future research may want to focus on affective and behavioral processes that underlie the concept of parent-infant adrenocortical attunement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren R Bader
- Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse, University of Toulouse Capitole, Toulouse, France
| | - Lin Tan
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Richard Gonzalez
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ekjyot K Saini
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Yeonjee Bae
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Livio Provenzi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Brenda L Volling
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Puhakka IJA, Peltola MJ. Salivary cortisol reactivity to psychological stressors in infancy: A meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 115:104603. [PMID: 32171123 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104603] [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: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Measurement of salivary cortisol is a practical and non-invasive tool for studying stress reactivity to various types of stressors even in young infants. Whereas studies using physical stressors during the first months of life have found robust cortisol responses to painful stimuli, research with older infants using psychological stressors (e.g., parental separation) has produced mixed findings, limiting our understanding of potential developmental changes in cortisol reactivity across infancy. In the present study, we used meta-analysis to systematically investigate whether psychological stressor paradigms are associated with measurable cortisol responses in infants under 18 months of age and whether the magnitude of the responses is moderated by the type of psychological stressor (i.e., separation, frustration, novelty, or disruption of parental interaction), infant age, and other potential moderators. Across 47 studies (N = 4095, age range: 3-18 months), we found that commonly used psychological stressor paradigms are associated with a small (Hedges' g = .11) increase in salivary cortisol levels in typically developing infants. Stressor type moderated the effect sizes, and when effect sizes in each category were analyzed separately, only the separation studies were associated with a consistent increase in cortisol following the stressor. Age did not moderate the effect sizes either in the full set of studies or within the separate stressor types. These meta-analytic results indicate that the normative cortisol response to psychological stressors across infancy is small and emphasize the need for standardized stressor paradigms to assess cortisol responses systematically across infancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilmari J A Puhakka
- Faculty of Education and Culture, Tampere University, Finland; Human Information Processing Laboratory, Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014, Finland
| | - Mikko J Peltola
- Human Information Processing Laboratory, Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33014, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Strathearn L, Mertens CE, Mayes L, Rutherford H, Rajhans P, Xu G, Potenza MN, Kim S. Pathways Relating the Neurobiology of Attachment to Drug Addiction. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:737. [PMID: 31780957 PMCID: PMC6857543 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders constitute a significant public health problem in North America and worldwide. Specifically, substance addictions in women during pregnancy or in the postpartum period have adverse effects not only on the mother, but also on mother-infant attachment and the child's subsequent development. Additionally, there is growing evidence suggesting that parental addiction may be transmitted intergenerationally, where the child of parents with addiction problems is more likely to experience addiction as an adult. The current review takes a developmental perspective and draws from animal and human studies to examine how compromised early experience, including insecure attachment, early abuse/neglect, and unresolved trauma, may influence the development of neurobiological pathways associated with addictions, ultimately increasing one's susceptibility to addictions later in life. We approach this from three different levels: molecular, neuroendocrine and behavioral; and examine the oxytocin affiliation system, dopamine reward system, and glucocorticoid stress response system in this regard. Increased understanding of these underlying mechanisms may help identify key targets for early prevention efforts and inform needed intervention strategies related to both insecure attachment and addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lane Strathearn
- Attachment and Neurodevelopment Laboratory, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Center for Disabilities and Development, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Carol E Mertens
- Attachment and Neurodevelopment Laboratory, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Center for Disabilities and Development, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Linda Mayes
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Helena Rutherford
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Purva Rajhans
- Attachment and Neurodevelopment Laboratory, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Guifeng Xu
- Attachment and Neurodevelopment Laboratory, Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Center for Disabilities and Development, University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - Marc N Potenza
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States.,Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience and the National Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Sohye Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|