A Relationship Between Oxytocin and Anxiety of Romantic Attachment

Overview

Journal Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health

Publisher Bentham Open

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2006 Oct 13

PMID 17034623

Citations 38

Authors

Donatella Marazziti

Bernardo DellOsso

Stefano Baroni

Francesco Mungai

Mario Catena

Paola Rucci

Francesco Albanese

Gino Giannaccini

Laura Betti

Laura Fabbrini

Paola Italiani

Alessandro Del Debbio

Antonio Lucacchini

Liliana DellOsso

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The formation of social bonding is fundamental for several animals, including humans, for its relevant and obvious impact upon reproduction and, thus, survival of the species. Recent data would suggest that oxytocin might be one of the mediators of this process. Given the paucity of data on the possible involvement of oxytocin in human attachment, the present study was aimed to explore the possible relationships between the plasma levels of this neuropeptide and romantic attachment in healthy subjects. Forty-five healthy subjects who volunteered for the study, were included in the study. The romantic attachment was assessed using the Italian version of the so-called "Experiences in Close Relationships" (ECR), a self-report questionnaire for measuring this parameter in adults. The results showed that attachment anxiety and oxytocin are positively linked in romantic attachment to a statistically significant degree (r = 0.30, p = 0.04), that is, the higher the oxytocin levels the higher the score on the anxiety scale of the ECR. The authors suggest the hypothesis that this link represents one of the biological processes resulting in those rewarding emotions related to romantic attachment.

Citing Articles

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Brain serotonin, oxytocin, and their interaction: Relevance for eating disorders.

Ismaylova E, Nemoda Z, Booij L J Psychopharmacol. 2025; 39(3):187-200.

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Main Biological Models of Resilience.

Marazziti D, Fantasia S, Palermo S, Arone A, Massa L, Gambini M Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2024; 21(2):115-134.

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Chronic oxytocin administration stimulates the oxytocinergic system in children with autism.

Moerkerke M, Daniels N, Tibermont L, Tang T, Evenepoel M, Van der Donck S Nat Commun. 2024; 15(1):58.

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A long and winding road: My personal journey to oxytocin with no return.

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