3-030 - HPA Axis Functioning Within Close Relationship Dyads: Moderation by Risky Family History, Social Support, and Oxytocin

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Researchers have expanded the study of physiological stress responding beyond individuals in isolation and into the realm of dynamic social interaction, finding evidence for physiological linkage between relationship partners. The four studies in this symposium all focus on cortisol sampled from both members of a romantically involved dyad during a laboratory visit that included a relationship conflict discussion. However, the studies reflect diversity in the life stage of the sample (ranging from adolescent and young adult dating couples, to pregnant couples, to parents of an infant) and in the type of moderator explored (from observed supportive behavior, to risky family history, to oxytocin). Study 1 found positive within-couple associations in cortisol in adolescent dating couples, and these associations were stronger when adolescents showed less supportive relationship behavior. Study 2 sampled cortisol from young adult dating couples, finding that females from risky family backgrounds showed declining levels of cortisol across the discussion. Studies 3 and 4 both focus on moderation of dyadic cortisol linkage by oxytocin system markers. Study 3 found that mothers of infants showed physiological linkage with their husbands only if they had the AA/AG variant of the OXTR genotype, which is associated with lower oxytocin and social sensitivity. Consistent with this, Study 4 examined couples expecting their first child, and found that mothers’ cortisol were more strongly linked with fathers’ cortisol if they and their partners had lower levels of plasma oxytocin. Taken together, these studies have implications for the study of attachment and stress responding within families.

Sub Unit

• Family Context & Processes

Chair

• Darby Saxbe, University of Southern California

Individual Presentations

• Supportive Behaviors in Adolescent Romantic Relationships Moderate Adrenocortical Attunement - Presenting Author: Thao Ha, Arizona State University; Ellen Wanheung Yeung, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University; Adam Rogers, Arizona State University; Franklin O. Poulsen, Arizona State University; Olga Kornienko, Arizona State University; Douglas Granger, Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, University of California Irvine

• The Role of Childhood Risky Family Environments in Cortisol Patterns during Romantic Conflict among Young Adult Dating Couples - Presenting Author: Lauren M Papp, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Jennifer Putney, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Katie Kennedy, University of California, Davis

• The role of OXTR genotype on marital and parent-child physiological attunement - Presenting Author: Evelyn Mercado, University of California, Los Angeles; Leah Hibel, University of California, Davis

• HPA Linkage Within Expectant Couples: Moderation By Dyadic Adjustment and Plasma Oxytocin - Presenting Author: Darby Saxbe, University of Southern California; Bryna Tsai, University of Southern California; Hannah Lyden, University of Southern California; Geoffrey Corner, University of Southern California; Mona Khaled, University of Southern California; Sarah A. Stoycos, University of Southern California