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Adult attachment style and cortisol responses in women in late pregnancy
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Background: Recent research has documented the association between attachment and cortisol rhythms. During pregnancy, when attachment patterns are likely to be activated, elevated levels of cortisol are associated with negative effects for the mother and the foetus. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of adult attachment style and cortisol rhythms in pregnant women.
Methods: Eighty women in the third trimester of pregnancy participated in the study. Adult attachment was
assessed using the Adult Attachment Scale–Revised (AAS-R). Participants collected 4 samples of salivary
cortisol at two different days; 3 samples were collected in the morning immediately after wakeup and one
sample was collected by bedtime.
Results:Results found group significant differences in the cortisol diurnal oscillation (
F
(1,71)
= 26.46,
p
< .001,),
with secure women reporting a steep decrease in cort
isol from awakening to bedtime, while women with
fearful avoidant attachment reported no changes. No group differences were found regarding the cortisol
awakening response.
Conclusions:
These results highlight the importance of consi
dering attachment patterns during pregnancy,
suggesting fearful avoidant attachment style as a possible risk factor for emotional difficulties and dysregulation of the
neuroendocrine rhythms.
Descrição
Suporte financeiro e não financeiro da Maternidade Alfredo da Costa, Lisboa, Portugal
Palavras-chave
Attachment Cortisol Pregnancy
Contexto Educativo
Citação
BMC Psychology, 4, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s40359-016-0105-8
Editora
BioMed Central