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Cited by 469Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorInfant Health and DevelopmentFamily Dynamics and Relationships

Oxytocin and the development of parenting in humans

Open access
Gordon, Ilanit, Zagoory-Sharon, Orna, Leckman, James F., Feldman, Ruth·2010·Biological Psychiatry
DOI 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.02.005PMC PMC3943240
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Abstract

Background The nonapeptide oxytocin (OT) has been repeatedly implicated in processes of parent-infant bonding in animal models; yet, its role in the development of human parenting has received less attention and no research has addressed the involvement of OT in the transition to fatherhood. Methods Using a prospective longitudinal design, 160 cohabitating mothers and fathers and their firstborn infant were visited at home during the first postpartum weeks and again at 6 months postpartum. Mothers’ and fathers’ plasma OT was analyzed at each time point with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methodology. Interactions between each parent and the infant were observed in the postpartum and microcoded for parenting behavior. Results Overall, parental OT increased across the study period and there were no differences between maternal and paternal OT at each time point. Oxytocin showed high intraindividual stability across the first 6 months of parenting and the OT levels of husband and wife were interrelated at both assessments. Maternal OT was related to the amount of affectionate parenting behaviors, including “motherese” vocalizations, the expression of positive affect, and affectionate touch, whereas paternal OT correlated with the degree of stimulatory parenting behaviors, including proprioceptive contact, tactile stimulation, and object presentation. Conclusions Results are the first to describe plasma OT levels in new fathers and mothers across the transition to parenthood in relation to maternal and paternal typical parenting behaviors. These data may provide a normative basis for the study of parenting under conditions of high risk.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

In a prospective longitudinal study of 80 cohabitating couples and their firstborn infants, plasma oxytocin increased from early postpartum to 6 months and was stable within individuals, with no maternal-paternal differences. Maternal oxytocin correlated with affectionate parenting behaviors, whereas paternal oxytocin correlated with stimulatory parenting behaviors.

Key findings

  • Plasma OT increased across the first 6 months of parenting: significant time main effect, F(1,108) = 6.27, p < .005, effect size = .06; no parent-gender main effect, F(1,108) = .04, p = .83, effect size = .00.
  • OT showed high intraindividual stability in mothers and fathers, and husband-wife OT levels were interrelated at both assessments; maternal OT at the first visit was related to paternal OT at the second visit and vice versa.
  • Maternal OT correlated with affectionate parenting behavior, r = .33, p < .05, but not stimulatory parenting, r = −.22, p > .10; paternal OT correlated with stimulatory parenting, r = .30, p < .05, but not affectionate parenting, r = .08, p > .10.
  • No mean-level differences were found between mothers and fathers in the proportion of time spent in affectionate and stimulatory parenting; the two composites were negatively related among fathers, r = −.51, p < .005, and mothers, r = −.41, p < .005.

Methods

  • Prospective longitudinal home visits with 80 cohabitating couples and their firstborn infant (n = 240); 128 parents (66 mothers, 62 fathers) were seen again at approximately 6 months postpartum (M = 24.8 weeks, SD = 4.38). Plasma OT was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at both time points.
  • Parent-infant interactions were videotaped for 10 minutes and microcoded in .01-second frames; interrater reliability for 10% of interactions averaged 98% (kappa = .84). Affectionate parenting was the sum of positive affect, motherese vocalization, and affectionate touch; stimulatory parenting was the sum of proprioceptive touch, object presentation, and stimulatory touch.
  • Analyses included repeated measures ANOVA with parent gender as a between-subject factor and Pearson correlations; OT levels were log transformed and outliers higher than three standard deviations were omitted (n = 6).

Limitations

  • Stated: the study relied on basal and peripheral OT without central or reactive measures, and the design cannot determine the mechanisms through which hormonal synchronization between partners occurs.
  • Evident: the sample was middle-class, residing in central Israel, with firstborn infants and mostly breastfeeding mothers, which limits generalizability; the correlational design cannot establish causality or direction of effects.
  • Evident: attrition occurred, as only 128 of the original 160 parents were reassessed at 6 months.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.02.005

Cites

77 of 77 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

2 tests recomputed · 0 with the reported and recomputed p on opposite sides of .05

Claims the paper makes

0 of 81 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    There were no mean-level differences between mothers and fathers in the proportion of time engaged in affectionate and stimulatory parenting behaviors.

    “No mean-level differences were found in the proportion of time mothers and fathers engaged in affectionate and stimulatory parenting behaviors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    OT was unrelated to demographic variables, including parent age, height, weight, smoking, use of medications, and time of last meal.

    “Pearson correlations indicated that OT was unrelated to demographic variables, including parent age, height, weight, smoking, use of medications, and time of last meal.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Among both fathers and mothers, the proportion of affectionate behavior and stimulatory play was negatively related.

    “Pearson correlations showed that among both fathers and mothers the proportion of affectionate behavior and stimulatory play was negatively related (r = −.51, p < .005, and r = −.41, p < .005 for fathers and mothers, respectively).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Parental OT increased across the study period from the first postpartum weeks to 6 months after birth in both mothers and fathers.

    “Overall, parental OT increased across the study period”
    • Also stated in: § Oxytocin · plain
      “Overall, OT levels increased in mothers and fathers from the first postpartum weeks to 6 months after the birth of their first child.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    There were no differences between maternal and paternal OT levels at each time point; mothers and fathers showed similar levels of OT across the first 6 months of parenthood.

    “there were no differences between maternal and paternal OT at each time point”
    • Also stated in: § Oxytocin · hedged
      “No main effect was found for parent, F(1,108) = .04, p = .83, effect size = .00, indicating that mothers and fathers show similar levels of OT across the first 6 months of parenthood.”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “our findings show similar basal concentrations of OT in maternal and paternal plasma”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 9
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 13

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Maternal OT was not related to menstrual cycle phase, contraceptive intake, mode of delivery, feeding style, postpartum interval, or interval from prior breastfeeding.

    “In addition, maternal OT was not related to menstrual cycle phase, contraceptive intake, mode of delivery (vaginal vs. caesarean section), feeding style (breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding), postpartum interval (weeks from birth to date of blood draw), or the interval from prior breastfeeding.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Maternal OT at the first visit was related to paternal OT at the second visit and vice versa.

    “Furthermore, maternal OT at the first visit was related to paternal OT at the second visit and vice versa, pointing to a close interdependence between the OT levels of cohabitating parents during the transition to parenthood.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    OT plays an important role in birth and lactation.

    “Oxytocin plays an important role in birth and lactation, and central OT injection in animals can quickly induce the full-blown repertoire of maternal behavior (8–12).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [8] Bales, 2002, Oxytocin facilitates parental care in female prairie voles (but not in males), Horm Behav

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [9] Holman, 1995, Experiential and hormonal correlates of care-giving in rhesus macaques

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [10] Ivell, 1996, Oxytocin: Cellular and molecular approaches in medicine and research, Rev Reprod source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [11] Kendrick, 1987, Intracerebroventricular oxytocin stimulates maternal behaviour in the sheep, Neuroendocrinology source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [12] Pedersen, 1997, Oxytocin control of maternal behavior, Ann N Y Acad Sci source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationown data

    These data may provide a normative basis for the study of parenting under conditions of high risk.

    “These data may provide a normative basis for the study of parenting under conditions of high risk.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Research has repeatedly implicated OT as one of the key hormones involved in parent-infant bonding in mammals, as well as in a range of social and affiliative behaviors.

    “Research has repeatedly implicated the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) as one of the key hormones involved in parent-infant bonding in mammals, as well as in a range of social and affiliative behaviors (3–7).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [3] Carter, 1998, Neuroendocrine perspectives on social attachment and love, Psychoneuroendocrinology source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [4] Donaldson, 2008, Oxytocin, vasopressin, and the neurogenetics of sociality, Science source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [5] Insel, 1997, A neurobiological basis of social attachment, Am J Psychiatry source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [6] Insel, 2004, How the brain processes social information: Searching for the social brain, Annu Rev Neurosci source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [7] Insel, 2001, The neurobiology of attachment, Nat Rev Neurosci source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Intranasal administration of OT increases trust.

    “Oxytocin inhaling was found to increase trust (18)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Kosfeld, 2005, Oxytocin increases trust in humans, Nature source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    Sensitive parenting is considered the cornerstone of the individual's well-being and adaptation throughout life.

    “Sensitive parenting is considered the cornerstone of the individual’s well-being and adaptation throughout life (1,2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [1] Ainsworth, 1989, Attachments beyond infancy, Am Psychol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [2] Bowlby, 1969

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Central OT injection in animals can quickly induce the full-blown repertoire of maternal behavior.

    “Oxytocin plays an important role in birth and lactation, and central OT injection in animals can quickly induce the full-blown repertoire of maternal behavior (8–12).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [8] Bales, 2002, Oxytocin facilitates parental care in female prairie voles (but not in males), Horm Behav

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [9] Holman, 1995, Experiential and hormonal correlates of care-giving in rhesus macaques

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [10] Ivell, 1996, Oxytocin: Cellular and molecular approaches in medicine and research, Rev Reprod source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [11] Kendrick, 1987, Intracerebroventricular oxytocin stimulates maternal behaviour in the sheep, Neuroendocrinology source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [12] Pedersen, 1997, Oxytocin control of maternal behavior, Ann N Y Acad Sci source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Intranasal OT findings suggest a potential direct OT involvement in processes of social bonding and interpersonal closeness, as well as in other social and emotional behaviors.

    “suggesting a potential direct OT involvement in processes of social bonding and interpersonal closeness, as well as in other social and emotional behaviors (25).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Shamay-Tsoory, 2009, Intranasal administration of oxytocin increases envy and Schadenfreude (gloating), Biol Psychiatry source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    A couples' intervention program including warm and affectionate touch was found to induce an "endocrine fit" between partners.

    “Similarly, a couples’ intervention program including warm and affectionate touch was found to induce an “endocrine fit” between partners (65).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [65] Holt-Lunstad, 2008, Influence of a “warm touch” support enhancement intervention among married couples on ambulatory blood pressure, oxytocin, alpha amylase, and cortisol, Psychosom Med source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The behavioral constellation of maternal gaze, positive affect, and affectionate touch defines the maternal postpartum repertoire in human mothers and has been shown to predict infants' social and emotional growth.

    “Maternal OT was associated with parenting behavior that incorporates maternal gaze, positive affect, and affectionate touch, a behavioral constellation that defines the maternal postpartum repertoire in human mothers and has shown to predict infants’ social and emotional growth (28,31,32,34).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [28] Feldman, 2007, Evidence for a neuroendocrinological foundation of human affiliation: Plasma oxytocin levels across pregnancy and the postpartum period predict mother-infant bonding, Psychol Sci source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [31] Feldman, 2004, Parenting stress, infant emotion regulation, maternal sensitivity, and the cognitive development of triplets: A model for parent and child influences in a unique ecology, Child Dev source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [32] Feldman, 2003, Direct and indirect effects of breast milk on the neurobehavioral and cognitive development of premature infants, Dev Psychobiol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [34] Feldman, 2007, Maternal postpartum behavior and the emergence of infant-mother and infant-father synchrony in preterm and full-term infants: The role of neonatal vagal tone, Dev Psychobiol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Similar interdependence between attachment partners has been reported for hormones such as cortisol, vasopressin, epinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormones, and prolactin.

    “Similar interdependence between attachment partners has been reported for hormones such as cortisol, vasopressin, epinephrine, adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormones, and prolactin (62–64).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [62] Schreiber, 2006, Environmental influences on family similarity in afternoon cortisol levels: Twin and parent-offspring designs, Psychoneuroendocrinology source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [63] Robles, 2003, The physiology of marriage: Pathways to health, Physiol Behav source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [64] Kiecolt-Glaser, 2003, Love, marriage, and divorce: Newlyweds' stress hormones foreshadow relationship changes, J Consult Clin Psychol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    The present findings are consistent with recent research assessing plasma and cerebrospinal fluid OT, which showed similar concentrations of OT in men and women.

    “The present findings are consistent with recent research assessing plasma (30) and cerebrospinal fluid OT (37), which showed similar concentrations of OT in men and women.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [30] Gordon, 2008, Oxytocin and cortisol in romantically unattached young adults: Associations with bonding and psychological distress, Psychophysiology source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [37] Leckman, 1994, Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of oxytocin in obsessive-compulsive disorder, Arch Gen Psychiatry source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The high level of stability found in basal OT levels may suggest that baseline OT levels are relatively stable during the postpartum period, except for moments of specific physiological processes such as breastfeeding or sexual intercourse that lead to considerable rise in OT but are short in duration.

    “The high level of stability found in basal OT levels may suggest that baseline OT levels are relatively stable during the postpartum period, except for moments of specific physiological processes such as breastfeeding or sexual intercourse that lead to considerable rise in OT but are short in duration (26,39–41).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [26] Light, 2000, Oxytocin responsivity in mothers of infants: A preliminary study of relationships with blood pressure during laboratory stress and normal ambulatory activity, Health Psychol source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [39] Burri, 2008, The acute effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on endocrine and sexual function in males, Psychoneuroendocrinology source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [40] Heinrichs, 2001, Effects of suckling on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses to psychosocial stress in postpartum lactating women, J Clin Endocrinol Metab source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [41] Uvnäs-Moberg, 1990, Personality traits in women 4 days post partum and their correlation with plasma levels of oxytocin and prolactin, J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    OT measurements were performed in duplicate and the intra-assay and interassay coefficients were less than 12.4% and 14.5%, respectively.

    “Measurements were performed in duplicate and the concentrations of samples were calculated by using MATLAB-7 (The MathWorks, Inc., Natick, Massachusetts) according to relevant standard curves. The intra-assay and interassay coefficients were less than 12.4% and 14.5%, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Several studies in human mothers have shown that peripheral OT release during birth, breastfeeding, and skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns is related to higher maternal responsiveness, lower maternal stress, and more optimal mother-infant bond.

    “Several studies in human mothers have shown that peripheral OT release during birth, breastfeeding, and skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns is related to higher maternal responsiveness, lower maternal stress, and more optimal motherinfant bond (3,26).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [3] Carter, 1998, Neuroendocrine perspectives on social attachment and love, Psychoneuroendocrinology source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [26] Light, 2000, Oxytocin responsivity in mothers of infants: A preliminary study of relationships with blood pressure during laboratory stress and normal ambulatory activity, Health Psychol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Interrater reliability for parenting behavior coding averaged 98% (kappa = .84).

    “Interrater reliability was conducted for 10% of the interactions and averaged 98% (kappa = .84).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    The distribution and density of central OT receptors may be another key factor in understanding the role of OT and related neuropeptides in affiliative behavior.

    “In addition to the actual level of OT in the periphery, the distribution and density of central OT receptors may be another key factor in understanding the role of OT and related neuropeptides in affiliative behavior (70,71).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [70] Leckman, 1994, The role of central oxytocin in obsessive compulsive disorder and related normal behavior, Psychoneuroendocrinology source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [71] Insel, 1999, Oxytocin, vasopressin, and autism: Is there a connection?, Biol Psychiatry source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In rodents there is a major shift in the location and density of OT receptors following parturition in the dams and after weaning in the pups.

    “For example, in rodents there is a major shift in the location and density of OT receptors following parturition in the dams and after weaning in the pups (72,73).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [72] Curley, 2009, The meaning of weaning: Influence of the weaning period on behavioral development in mice, Dev Neurosci source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [73] Meddle, 2007, Dynamic changes in oxytocin receptor expression and activation at parturition in the rat brain, Endocrinology source

      Not checked in the free run.

19 of 19

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Normative distributions of peripheral measurements of maternal and paternal OT across the first months of parenting have not been systematically examined.

    “Specifically, the normative distributions of peripheral measurements of maternal and paternal OT across the first months of parenting has not, to our knowledge, been systematically examined.”
1 of 1

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • High plasma oxytocin levels correlated positively with the level of mother-infant bondedness and father-infant synchrony.

    “Other studies show that high plasma oxytocin levels correlated postively with the level of mother-infant bondedness (Feldman et al., 2007) and father-infant synchrony (Gordon et al., 2010).”

    From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Gordon et al., 2010

  • High oxytocin and low testosterone might induce gentle affiliation, or nurturant behavior.

    “Taken together, these studies suggest that high oxytocin and low testosterone might induce gentle affiliation, or nurturant behavior (van Anders et al., 2011)—a similar pattern as is expected for new human fathers (Storey et al., 2000; Gordon et al., 2010).”

    From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Gordon et al., 2010

  • Oxytocin plasma concentrations correlate with the time devoted to affectionate parenting in mothers and with stimulatory parenting in fathers.

    “Moreover, OXT plasma concentrations appear to correlate with the time devoted to affectionate parenting (such as soft hugs, caresses, or baby talk) in mothers and with stimulatory parenting (i.e., tossing the baby in the air or encouraging exploration and laughter) in fathers (29).”

    From Dissecting the Role of Oxytocin in the Formation and Loss of Social Relationships (2016) · cites this paper as [29]

  • Baseline plasma and salivary OT in mothers and fathers are interrelated and comparable during the first months of parenting.

    “Human studies have indicated that baseline plasma and salivary OT in mothers and fathers are interrelated and are comparable during the first months of parenting (10,13,29,30)”

    From Oxytocin administration to parent enhances infant physiological and behavioral readiness for social engagement (2012) · cites this paper as [29]

  • At 6 months postpartum, maternal CORT is inversely associated with sensitive maternal behaviours, including gaze to infant's face and vocalisation toward infants and OT.

    “However, at 6 months postpartum, maternal CORT is inversely associated with sensitive maternal behaviours, including gaze to infant’s face and vocalisation toward infants and OT (33,52).”

    From Neuroendocrinology of Parental Response to Baby‐Cry (2011) · cites this paper as [52]

Statistics that don’t add up

Each reported p-value recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom.

  • Inconsistent p-value: F (1,108) = 6.27, p < .005

    Minor

    The paper reports p < .005 here; recomputing from the test statistic and its degrees of freedom gives p = .014. The check cannot tell whether the statistic or the p-value is the misprint.

    Reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .014

1 of 1

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • Doesn’t add upF(1, 108) = 6.27reported p < .005 · recomputed p = .014

    “F (1,108) = 6.27, p < .005”

  • ConsistentF(1, 108) = 0.04reported p = .83 · recomputed p = .842

    “F(1,108) = .04, p = .83”

2 of 2

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Self-check results appear here once an independent check has confirmed them.

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Bales, 2002, Oxytocin facilitates parental care in female prairie voles (but not in males), Horm Behav, 41, 456
  2. Uvnas-Moberg, 2005, Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth and healing, Z Psychosom Med Psychother, 51, 57

Cited by

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Related

Authors
Gordon, I., Zagoory-Sharon, O., Leckman, J. F., & Feldman, R.
Affiliations
  • Bar-Ilan University (IL)
  • Yale University (US)
Corresponding author
Feldman, Ruth
ORCID
Venue
Biological Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-08
Volume
68
Issue
4
Pages
377-382
ISSN
0006-3223 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.02.005
PMC
PMC3943240
OpenAlex
W2087362865
Semantic Scholar
2050d1498199d8f6d7bd3b4310f95b621066001c
Cited by
469
References
77
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 38 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 50 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 34
FWCI
44.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Biological Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
United States-Israel Bi-National Science Foundation (#2005-273)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Infant Health and Development
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
Keywords
oxytocin, transition to parenthood, fatherhood, mother-infant bonding, plasma oxytocin, affectionate parenting, child-directed speech, positive affect, affectionate touch, postpartum period
MeSH terms
Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Maternal Behavior, Object Attachment, Oxytocin, Parent-Child Relations, Paternal Behavior, Prospective Studies, Reference Values, Sex Factors, Parenting

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