The DOI matches its Crossref record; 28 of the 30 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Oxytocin enhances the experience of attachment security
Open accessAbstract
Repeated interactions between infant and caregiver result in either secure or insecure relationship attachment patterns, and insecure attachment may affect individual emotion-regulation and health. Given that oxytocin enhances social approach behavior in animals and humans, we hypothesized that oxytocin might also promote the subjective experience of attachment security in humans. Within a 3-week interval, 26 healthy male students classified with an insecure attachment pattern were invited twice to an experimental session. At the beginning of each experiment, a single dose of oxytocin or placebo was administered intranasally, using a double-blind, placebo-controlled within-subject design. In both conditions, subjects completed an attachment task based on the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP). Thirty-two AAP picture system presentations depicted attachment-related events (e.g. illness, solitude, separation, and loss), and were each accompanied by four prototypical phrases representing one secure and three insecure attachment categories. In the oxytocin condition, a significant proportion of these insecure subjects (N=18; 69%) increased in their rankings of the AAP prototypical "secure attachment" phrases and decreased in overall ranking of the "insecure attachment" phrases. In particular, there was a significant decrease in the number of subjects ranking the pictures with "insecure-preoccupied" phrases from the placebo to the oxytocin condition. We find that a single dose of intranasally administered oxytocin is sufficient to induce a significant increase in the experience of attachment security in insecurely attached adults.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
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?
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“and it increases the subjective experience of attachment security in males with insecure attachment patterns (Buchheim et al. 2009).”
From Natural Selection, Childrearing, and the Ethics of Marriage (and Divorce): Building a Case for the Neuroenhancement of Human Relationships (2012) · cites this paper as Buchheim et al. 2009
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“Notably, perception of attachment security was improved after OT administration in healthy male students (Buchheim et al, 2009).”
From Intranasal oxytocin administration dampens amygdala reactivity towards emotional faces in male and female PTSD patients (2016) · cites this paper as Buchheim et al, 2009
In the citing paper
“For example, acute intranasal oxytocin improves self-perceived coping style in humans (Cardoso, Linnen, Joober, & Ellenbogen, 2011) and attachment security in adult males (Buchheim et al., 2009).”
From Acute intranasal oxytocin improves positive self-perceptions of personality (2012) · cites this paper as Buchheim et al., 2009
In the citing paper
“Recently, a single 24-IU dose of OXT IN was found to be sufficient for inducing a significant increase in perceived attachment security in male adults previously classified as insecure (46).”
From Dissecting the Role of Oxytocin in the Formation and Loss of Social Relationships (2016) · cites this paper as [46]
In the citing paper
“Our findings also extend previous studies showing beneficial effects of a single dose of OT on attachment security [20], development of trust and cooperation [18], and improved communal traits and altered agency [19].”
From Behavioral effects of multiple-dose oxytocin treatment in autism: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with long-term follow-up (2020) · cites this paper as [20]
In the citing paper
“Later, Buchheim et al. (2009) showed that OT can increase the experience of attachment security”
From Long-term oxytocin administration enhances the experience of attachment (2017) · cites this paper as Buchheim et al. (2009)
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales.
Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063 · Cited by 32,433
(1969) · Cited by 18,340
Attachment and Loss. Vol. 1. Attachment
Rever, G. W. (1972) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-197211000-00011 · Cited by 8,446 · cited 1×
“During repeated interactions with a supportive and sensitive caregiver, a child develops a stable cognitive-emotional schema of the caregiver’s availability for reducing stress and providing comfort and protection in potentially threatening situations (Bowlby, 1969).”
Attachment and Loss. Vol. I. Attachment.
Jones, N. B., & Bowlby, J. (1970) · Man · doi:10.2307/2798963 · Cited by 4,208
Oxytocin increases trust in humans
Kosfeld, M., Heinrichs, M., Zak, P. J., Fischbacher, U., & Fehr, E. (2005) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature03701 · Cited by 3,690
Self-citationHeinrichs, M., Baumgartner, T., Kirschbaum, C., & Ehlert, U. (2003) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(03)00465-7 · Cited by 2,091
Self-citationThe neurobiology of pair bonding.
Young, L. J., & Wang, Z. (2004) · Nature Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/nn1327 · Cited by 1,523 · cited 2×
“…mammals, receptors for the neuropeptide oxytocin are distributed in various brain regions that are associated with the ability to form normal social attachments and affiliation, including parental care, pair bonding, and social memory (Carter, 1998; Uvnas-Moberg, 1998; Young and Wang, 2004).”
The neural correlates of maternal and romantic love
Bartels, A., & Zeki, S. (2004) · NeuroImage · doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2003.11.003 · Cited by 1,497 · cited 1×
“Moreover our results concur with recent findings from neuroimaging studies in healthy humans, demonstrating that looking at pictures of significant others showed marked overlap with regions that show high densities of oxytocin receptors (e.g. striatum) (Bartel and Zeki, 2004).”
Neuroendocrine perspectives on social attachment and love
Sue Carter, C. (1998) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(98)00055-9 · Cited by 1,425
Oxytocin improves “mind-reading” in humans
Domes, G., Heinrichs, M., Michel, A., Berger, C., & Herpertz, S. C. (2007) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.07.015 · Cited by 1,298
Self-citation
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- Steyer, 1994, Testtheoretische Analysen des mehrdimensionalen Befindlichkeitsfragebogens (MDBF) (Multidimensional Mood Questionnaire), Diagnostica, 40, 320
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 201–277 of 277
Jacob, R., Otto, A., Jarvers, I., Kandsperger, S., Ecker, A., Schleicher, D., Malloni, W. M., Neumann, I. D., & Brunner, R. M. (2025) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-025-07689-0 · Cited by 2
Az orvosi pszichológia fejlődése hazánkban: szemléleti keretek, határterületek és alkalmazások
Kállai, J., Barabás, K. N., Túry, F., Csabai, M., & Molnár, P. (2018) · Orvosi Hetilap · doi:10.1556/650.2018.31109 · Cited by 3
Oxytocin and postpartum depression - a possible treatment for depressed mothers
Leziak, M., Niedobylski, S., Żak, K., Piwoński, M., Krasowska, D., & Skórzyńska-Dziduszko, K. (2020) · Journal of Education Health and Sport · doi:10.12775/jehs.2020.10.07.016 · Cited by 2
Emotional-instabile Persönlichkeitsstörung vom Borderline-Typ
Gahr, M. L., Fladung, A.-K., Freudenmann, R. W., Wolf, R. C., Schönfeldt‐Lecuona, C., & Schmid, M. M. (2013) · Nervenheilkunde · doi:10.1055/s-0038-1628506 · Cited by 2
Szymanska, M., Chateau‐Smith, C., Monnin, J., Andrieu, P., Girard, F., Galdon, L., Schneider, M., Pazart, L., Nezelof, S., & Vulliez‐Coady, L. (2016) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/resprot.5643 · Cited by 2
The multifarious oxytocin: a review
Kapur, A., & Kapur, V. (2019) · International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences · doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20191717 · Cited by 2
Wirkfaktoren personzentrierter Beziehungsgestaltung aus neurowissenschaftlicher Sicht
Lux, M. P. (2020) · PERSON · doi:10.24989/person.v24i1.2379 · Cited by 2
Forms of vitality and microanalysis in music therapy within adult autism: A clinical report
Balducci, A. (2020) · Approaches An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy · doi:10.56883/aijmt.2021.142 · Cited by 2
Lubin, J. N., Hendrick, S., Thornhill-Miller, B., & Lubart, T. (2019) · Health · doi:10.4236/health.2019.1112125 · Cited by 1
Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat
Conklin, Q. A., Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., Epel, E. S., & Saron, C. D. (2024) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2024.1345527 · Cited by 4
Contemporary neuroscientific concepts and psychotherapy: possibilities for integration
Dobrushina, O. R. (2024) · Журнал высшей нервной деятельности им И П Павлова · doi:10.31857/s0044467724010016 · Cited by 1
Current Neuroscientific Concepts and Psychotherapy: Possibilities for Integration
Dobrushina, O. R. (2024) · Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology · doi:10.1007/s11055-024-01649-z · Cited by 1
Nannt, J., Ostende, M. M. V. D. H., Tuschen‐Caffier, B., Heinrichs, M., Sippel, D., Hallschmid, M., & Svaldi, J. (2025) · International Journal of Eating Disorders · doi:10.1002/eat.24566 · Cited by 1
Self-citationSantos, V., Carter, C. S., Paloyelis, Y., & Martins, D. (2026) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106664 · Cited by 1
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.001.0001 · Cited by 1
Bruenig, D., Morris, C. P., Young, R. M., & Voisey, J. (2015) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-08359-9_110 · Cited by 5
Nahra, C. M. L. (2011) · ethic - An international Journal for Moral Phylosophy · doi:10.5007/1677-2954.2011v10n1p109 · Cited by 1
Neurobiologische Grundlagen von Temperament und Persönlichkeit
Rujescu, D., & Watzke, S. (2016) · Nervenheilkunde · doi:10.1055/s-0037-1616388 · Cited by 1
Attachment Assessment in treatments, prevention and intervention programs
Salcuni, S. (2015) · Frontiers research topics · doi:10.3389/978-2-88919-523-7 · Cited by 1
Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory
Uvnäs‐Moberg, K., Handlin, L., & Petersson, K. M. (2015) · Cited by 1
Oxytocin shapes the priorities and neural representations of attitudes and values
Hurlemann, R., Marsh, N., Schultz, J., & Scheele, D. (2017) · Behavioral and Brain Sciences · doi:10.1017/s0140525x16000807 · Cited by 1
Jenkins, M. A., Tedeschi, P. J., Olmert, M. D., Yount, R. A., Parish-Plass, N., & Leslie, A. (2024) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-22346-4.15010-3 · Cited by 1
Environmental and Genetic Contributions to Attachment in Late Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Venta, A. C., Walker, J. H., Bautista, A., Cuervo, M., Bechelli, J., Houston, R. M., Boisvert, D. L., Armstrong, T. A., Lewis, R. H., Johnson, D. T., et al. (2024) · Child Psychiatry & Human Development · doi:10.1007/s10578-024-01764-5 · Cited by 1
The role of oxytocin in the pathogenesis and treatment of schizophrenia
Jusiak, K., Brudkowska, Ż., Gołębiowska, M., Morylowska-Topolska, J., Gołębiowska, B., Próchnicki, M., Próchnicka, A., & Karakuła‐Juchnowicz, H. (2017) · Current Problems of Psychiatry · doi:10.1515/cpp-2017-0023 · Cited by 1
Stötter, A., Harrer, M. E., Mosgoeller, W., Endler, P. C., & Häring, C. (2018) · Complementary Medicine Research · doi:10.1159/000492060 · Cited by 1
The role of oxytocin in terror management processes
Pfundmair, M., Schindler, S., & Burgstaller, J. (2019) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.01.011 · Cited by 1
Neurobiofisiologia del vinculo y proceso mental en el recien nacido
Massa, J. L. P. (2021) · NACIENDO Revista Española de Psicología y Psicopatología Perinatal e Infantil · doi:10.52961/01.xsfs3036 · Cited by 2
Lux, M., Zeller, O., Soyez, L., & Gecer, T. (2021) · Approche Centrée sur la Personne Pratique et recherche · doi:10.3917/acp.031.0021 · Cited by 1
Treating Human Trauma With the Help of Animals
Tedeschi, P. J., Jenkins, M. A., Parish-Plass, N., Olmert, M. D., & Yount, R. A. (2019) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-815395-6.00024-9 · Cited by 1
Development of Personality Throughout the Lifecycle
Moreno, C., & Stubbe, D. E. (2015) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118753378.ch8 · Cited by 1
Generalized Restriction: Understanding Anorexia Nervosa in an Interpersonal Context
Hudepohl, J. T. (2019) · Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · doi:10.17615/x4g7-7034 · Cited by 1
Boudjafad, Z., Ihsan, C., Chaibi, I., Moubarrad, F. L., Bennis, M., Garcia, R., & Ba-M’hamed, S. (2025) · Learning & Memory · doi:10.1101/lm.054041.124 · Cited by 1
Effects of central neuropeptides on social preference and social recognition in male rats
Lukas, M. (2011) · University of Regensburg Publication Server (University of Regensburg) · doi:10.5283/epub.22540
Gillespie, S. M. (2014) · University of Birmingham Institutional Research Archive (University of Birmingham)
You're not welcome in here – poems by doctors
Topiwala, H. (2015) · The British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.114.153510
The Role of Attachment in Emotion Regulation of Traumatic Stress
Arıkan, G. (2011) · ePrints Soton (University of Southampton)
Psychosoziale Effekte von Oxytocin und Vasopressin und ihre therapeutischen Anwendungsmöglichkeiten
Thienel, M., & Hallschmid, M. (2012) · Zeitschrift für Medizinische Psychologie · doi:10.3233/zmp-2012-210005
Place de l’ocytocine dans la sécurité de l’attachement et la régulation émotionnelle à l’adolescence
Vulliez‐Coady, L. (2013) · European Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2013.09.038
Personality Disorders: A Short Review
Lorenzini, N., & Fonagy, P. (2013)
Genetic, Biomarker and Psychological Factors for Risk and Resilience of PTSD
Bruenig, D. (2017) · Queensland University of Technology · doi:10.5204/thesis.eprints.112180
Bindungstheorie nach Bowlby und Ainsworth
Mensen, U., & Ostermann, R. (2017) · Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht eBooks · doi:10.13109/9783666451386.193
Mazo, M. P. (2014) · ERA: Education and Research Archive (University of Alberta) · doi:10.7939/r38w3885r
Apego y rasgos límites de la personalidad: el papel mediador de la regulación emocional
Casado, M. V. (2018) · Gredos (University of Salamanca) · doi:10.14201/gredos.137558
Homöostase: Wohlbefinden, Zufriedenheit, psychische Gesundheit
Markowitsch, H. J., & Schreier, M. M. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-58265-7_1
Oxytocin and Social Sensitivity: Implications for Vulnerability to Stress and Depressive Symptoms
McQuaid, R. J. (2015) · Carleton University's Institutional Repository (MacOdrum Library, Carleton University) · doi:10.22215/etd/2015-11083
Current awareness in human psychopharmacology
(2010) · Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental · doi:10.1002/hup.1062
(2018) · Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht eBooks · doi:10.13109/9783666616273.472
Oxytocin, Social Interactions and Coping: Implications for Depression
McInnis, O. A. (2016) · Carleton University's Institutional Repository (MacOdrum Library, Carleton University) · doi:10.22215/etd/2016-11454
Influence of Attachment Behavior in Psychosis
Kim, Y. (2022) · Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research · doi:10.16946/kjsr.2022.25.2.23
Kawano, A., & Sankai, C. (2022) · International Journal of Nursing and Midwifery · doi:10.5897/ijnm2022.0495
Neurodesarrollo y lactancia materna
Neyra, M. R. (2015) · Revista Peruana de Pediatría · doi:10.61651/rped.2015v68n2p42-49
Adult Social Relationships in Primates
Manca, C., & Bales, K. L. (2024) · Masterclass in neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-51112-7_2
Receiving Human and Android Facial Mimicry Induces Empathy Experiences and Oxytocin ReleasePreprint
Hsu, C., Minato, T., Shimokawa, K., & Sato, W. (2024) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/3ufdh
Glavač, T., Barbo, M., Ravnik-Glavač, M., Zupančič, M., & Dolžan, V. (2025) · Frontiers in Pharmacology · doi:10.3389/fphar.2025.1675538 · Cited by 1
How factors of the therapeutic alliance interact with oxytocin neurotransmission in psychotherapy
Eckert, M., & Schandro, E. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1659841
Évaluation de l’attachement chez l’adulte
Perdereau, F., Atger, F., & Guédeney, N. (2009) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-2-294-09433-0.00018-x
Welling, L. L. M., & Hughes, M. (2026) · Evolutionary Psychological Science · doi:10.1007/s40806-026-00465-7
Szymanska, M. (2016) · theses.fr (ABES) · doi:10.70675/5ebf3333z256cz402dz8340z24153a59aef8
The Communication-Satisfaction Model of Relationships and Its Discontents
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0004
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0014
Resolving the Puzzle of Friendship
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0012
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0001
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0008
The State of the Psychological Science of Friendship
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0005
Aristotle’s Theory of Friendship
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0007
Identification and Roles as Constitutive Aspects of Friendship
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0010
Attachment and the Biology of Friendship
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0009
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0013
Historical and Cultural Variations on Friendship
Fowers, B. J. (2026) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/9780197506028.003.0003
John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth: Attachment Theory
Mensen, U., & Ostermann, R. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-29315-2_12
Oxytocin as an allostatic modulator of attachment development: More than just a prosocial hormone
Budniok, S., & Bosmans, G. (2026) · Developmental Review · doi:10.1016/j.dr.2026.101287
Mancini, C., Segni, M. D., Pizzetti, S., Mancini, G., Marino, G., Denitti, M., & Ventura, R. (2026) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2026.106989
Wang, X., Wang, S., Guo, J., Zhang, J., Chen, B., Li, J., Zhao, Z., 春艶, 李., Cai, H., & Liu, S. (2026) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-026-08364-8
Differential effects of central oxytocin on social versus cued fear in male rodents
Toth, I. (2014) · University of Regensburg Publication Server (University of Regensburg) · doi:10.5283/epub.27841
Linnen, A. (2011) · Spectrum Research Repository (Concordia University)
Metadata
- Authors
- Buchheim, A., Heinrichs, M., George, C., Pokorny, D., Koops, E., Henningsen, P., O’Connor, M.-F., & Gündel, H.
- Affiliations
- Universität Innsbruck (AT)
- University of Zurich (CH)
- Mills College (US)
- Technical University of Munich (DE)
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Buchheim, Anna
- Venue
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2009-10
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1417-1422
- ISSN
- 0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3138620
- OpenAlex
- W2166164817
- Cited by
- 277
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 25.57
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
- FreiDok plus (Universitätsbibliothek Freiburg) (submittedVersion)
- mediaTUM – the media and publications repository of the Technical University Munich (Technical University Munich) (submittedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
- Funders
- Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (114788)
- National Institute on Aging (K01AG028404)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Keywords
- oxytocin, attachment security, insecure attachment, Adult Attachment Projective Picture System, intranasal oxytocin, emotion regulation, social bonding
- MeSH terms
- Administration, Intranasal, Adult, Humans, Male, Object Attachment, Oxytocin, Perception
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
