Presenter: Giovanni Ricci – Psychology
Faculty Mentor(s): Jennifer Ablow
Session: (In-Person) Poster Presentation
Oxytocin (OT) is a peptide hormone and neuropeptide that is produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. Research has shown OT is involved in regulating social behaviors such as pair bonding as well as facilitating maternal-child attachment. Research has also shown early childhood trauma may impair OT production later in life through negative feedback mechanisms. However, the relationship between OT and trauma has rarely been examined using both the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire and salivary OT measures. The aim of this study is to explore the association between salivary OT, ACE scores, and maternal-child bonding and attachment using a novel salivary OT measure. We hope to solidify previous findings and argue OT acts as an important factor in the transmission of intergenerational trauma. The study will include a sample of new mothers of infants who participated in a prenatal study. Maternal salivary OT and the MPAS and PBQ questionnaires will be collected at the outset of a postnatal visit, and ACE scores were collected as part of the prenatal study. Based on preliminary results, we expect maternal baseline OT will be positively associated with healthy maternal-child bonding and attachment, and negatively associated with ACE scores. Should results be as expected, implications for understanding the role early adversity plays in reduced OT production as a potential pathway for the intergenerational impacts of trauma are discussed.