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Publication
Oxytocin and state attachment responses to secure base support after stress in middle childhood
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
We tried to replicate the finding that receiving care increases
children’s oxytocin and secure state attachment levels, and tested
whether secure trait attachment moderates the oxytocin and state
attachment response to care. 109 children (9-11 years old; M = 9.59;
SD = 0.63; 34.9% boys) participated in a within-subject experiment.
After stress induction (Trier Social Stress Test), children first
remained alone and then received maternal secure base support.
Salivary oxytocin was measured eight times. Secure trait and state
attachment were measured with questionnaires, and Secure Base
Script knowledge was assessed. Oxytocin levels increased after
receiving secure base support from mother after having been
alone. Secure state attachment changed less. Trait attachment
and Secure Base Script knowledge did not moderate oxytocin or
state attachment responses to support. This might mean that,
regardless of the attachment history, in-the-moment positive
attachment experiences might have a beneficial effect on trait
attachment development in middle childhood.
Description
Keywords
Parenting Trust TSST Stress Secure base script Knowledge
Citation
Cuyvers, B., van IJzendoorn, M., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M., Verhaeghe, J., Molenberghs, G., Lafit, G., Houbrechts, M., & Bosmans, G. (2024). Oxytocin and state attachment responses to secure base support after stress in middle childhood. Attachment & Human Development, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2024.2304874
Publisher
Routledge