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Cited by 317Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorAttachment and Relationship DynamicsEvolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior

Oxytocin during the initial stages of romantic attachment: Relations to couples’ interactive reciprocity

Open access
Schneiderman, Inna, Zagoory-Sharon, Orna, Leckman, James F., Feldman, Ruth·2012·Psychoneuroendocrinology
DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.12.021PMC PMC3936960
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Abstract

Romantic relationships can have a profound effect on adults' health and well-being whereas the inability to maintain intimate bonds has been associated with physical and emotional distress. Studies in monogamous mammalian species underscore the central role of oxytocin (OT) in pair-bonding and human imaging studies implicate OT-rich brain areas in early romantic love. To assess the role of OT in romantic attachment, we examined plasma OT in 163 young adults: 120 new lovers (60 couples) three months after the initiation of their romantic relationship and 43 non-attached singles. Twenty-five of the 36 couples who stayed together were seen again six months later. Couples were observed in dyadic interactions and were each interviewed regarding relationship-related thoughts and behaviors. OT was significantly higher in new lovers compared to singles, F(1,152)=109.33, p<.001, which may suggest increased activity of the oxytocinergic system during the early stages of romantic attachment. These high levels of OT among new lovers did not decrease six months later and showed high individual stability. OT correlated with the couples' interactive reciprocity, including social focus, positive affect, affectionate touch, and synchronized dyadic states, and with anxieties and worries regarding the partner and the relationship, findings which parallel those described for parent-infant bonding. OT levels at the first assessment differentiated couples who stayed together six months later from those who separated during this period. Regression analysis showed that OT predicted interactive reciprocity independent of sex, relationship duration, and the partner's OT. Findings suggest that OT may play an important role at the first stages of romantic attachment and lend support to evolutionary models suggesting that parental and romantic attachment share underlying bio-behavioral mechanisms.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.12.021

Cites

68 of 68 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

13 of 68 cited sources checked · 3 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    The initial stage of a romantic relationship is associated with greater neural activity in the left posterior cingulate cortex and caudate regions than later stages.

    “In particular, the initial stage of a romantic relationship has been associated with greater neural activity in the left posterior cingulate cortex and caudate regions (Aron et al., 2005; Bartels and Zeki, 2000; Kim et al., 2009) as compared to later stages of the relationship.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Aron et al., 2005 source
    • cites Bartels and Zeki, 2000 source
    • cites Kim et al., 2009 source

      The Results (‘Neural activities 180 days after the preliminary scan’; page unavailable) report less activation in the right caudate after 180 days, supporting greater initial caudate activity. But they report increased activation in both cingulate gyrus areas (BA 31 and BA 33) at follow-up, not greater initial activation in the left posterior cingulate cortex. (LLM, conf=0.91)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Long-term pair-bonds show increased activation in the anterior cingulate, insular cortex, and ventral pallidum.

    “On the other hand, activations of cortical regions including the anterior cingulate, insular cortex, and ventral pallidum were increased in long-term pair-bonds (Aron et al., 2005; Bartels and Zeki, 2000; Kim et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Aron et al., 2005 source
    • cites Bartels and Zeki, 2000 source
    • cites Kim et al., 2009 source

      The Results (Neural activities 180 days after the preliminary scan; page not provided) report increased activation in both cingulate gyri after 180 days, and the Discussion identifies the anterior cingulate as involved. The paper does not report increased activation in the insular cortex or ventral pallidum, and its comparison is a six-month follow-up of the same couples rather than a general finding about long-term pair-bonds. (LLM, conf=0.89)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    In mammals, more touch and contact increased oxytocin receptor density.

    “research in mammals showed that more touch and contact increased OT receptor density (Champagne et al., 2001).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Champagne et al., 2001 source

      The Results report that rat mothers with more pup licking/grooming had higher oxytocin receptor binding in several brain regions, but found no group difference in time spent in physical contact with pups. The Discussion describes an association and suggests that receptor differences may help drive licking/grooming; it does not show that more touch or contact caused receptor density to increase. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Much research has focused on the neurobiological basis of bond formation, but studies have mainly addressed the maternal-infant bond.

    “Although much research has focused on the neurobiological basis of bond formation, studies have mainly addressed the maternal–infant bond (Gordon et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Gordon et al., 2011 source

      The Introduction (section 1; page unavailable) describes research on the biobehavioral mechanisms of bond formation, and section 2 discusses studies of maternal–infant interactions. But the paper also discusses paternal–infant and adult bonds, and the passages do not establish that studies have mainly addressed the maternal–infant bond. (LLM, conf=0.78)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Both the early stages of romantic love and early parental love are characterized by typical behaviors, mental states, and activations of specific brain structures.

    “Both the early stages of romantic love and early parental love are characterized by typical behaviors, mental states, and activations of specific brain structures (Atzil et al., 2011; Bartels and Zeki, 2004; Leckman et al., 1999; van Anders et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Atzil et al., 2011 source

      The Introduction describes characteristic maternal behaviors and brain regions involved in human parenting, while the Discussion links maternal behavior to mental processes and neural activation. This supports the early parental-love portion, but the paper does not discuss the behaviors, mental states, and brain activations of early romantic love; romantic love appears only in reference titles. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Bartels and Zeki, 2004 source
    • cites Leckman et al., 1999 source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 27
  • May combine two claims. 27

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

    Premisecitation

    The early stages of romantic love may be linked to alterations in plasma cortisol, sex steroids, nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and decreased platelet serotonin transporter density.

    “In addition, research has shown that the early stages of romantic love may be linked to alterations in plasma levels of cortisol, sex steroids, nerve growth factor (NGF), and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (Marazziti et al., 2009), as well as decreased density of the serotonin transporter in platelets (Emanuele et al., 2006; Marazziti et al., 1999; Marazziti and Canale, 2004), suggesting”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Marazziti et al., 2009 source

      The Discussion (page unavailable) reports an association between plasma BDNF and romantic attachment in women, and reports higher NGF in people who had recently fallen in love. It does not link cortisol or sex-steroid levels to early romantic love, nor establish that its BDNF finding concerns the early stage. The platelet serotonin-transporter claim has separate citations in the citing sentence and is not attributed to this paper. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Emanuele et al., 2006 source
    • cites Marazziti et al., 1999 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Intranasal oxytocin administration increases bonding-related behavior, including gaze to the eye region, interpersonal trust and empathy, and social cognition.

    “In humans, intranasal administration of OT was found to increase bonding-related behavior, including gaze to eye region (Guastella et al., 2008), interpersonal trust and empathy (Hurlemann et al., 2010; Kosfeld et al., 2005), and social cognition (Kirsch et al., 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Guastella et al., 2008 source
    • cites Hurlemann et al., 2010 source
    • cites Kosfeld et al., 2005 source

      The Abstract and LETTERS report that intranasal oxytocin increased trusting behavior in humans. They do not report an increase in empathy, which the citing sentence groups with interpersonal trust under the Kosfeld citation. Gaze to the eye region and social cognition are attributed to other cited papers in that sentence. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Findings on peripheral oxytocin are mixed: some studies link plasma oxytocin with positive communication, affiliation, and emotional support, while others link it with negative emotions, anxiety, and distress in romantic couples.

    “However, findings regarding peripheral OT are mixed. Whereas some found links between plasma OT and positive communication, affiliation, and emotional support (Gonzaga et al., 2006; Grewen et al., 2005; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2008), others showed associations with negative emotions, anxiety, and distress in romantic couples (Marazziti et al., 2006; Tabak et al., 2010; Taylor et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Gonzaga et al., 2006 source
    • cites Marazziti et al., 2006 source

      The Results report a positive association between plasma oxytocin and romantic-attachment anxiety (r = 0.30, p = 0.04). The paper does not report associations with negative emotions or distress, and the Results note that some participants were not in a romantic relationship, so its sample cannot be described simply as romantic couples. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites Tabak et al., 2010 source

      The Results report that peripheral oxytocin reactivity was associated with post-conflict anxiety and lack of forgiveness in women following interpersonal harms. But the Methods include harms involving friends and relatives as well as romantic partners, and the Results found no significant association between baseline oxytocin and post-conflict anxiety. This source therefore supports the distress association, but not a finding specifically about romantic couples or baseline plasma oxytocin. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin plays a critical role in regulating pair-bond formation in monogamous mammals.

    “Specifically, OT has been shown to play a critical role in the regulation of pair-bond formation in monogamous mammals (Ross and Young, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ross and Young, 2009 source

      Section 1.7, Social Bonding in Adults (page not provided), reports convincing evidence that oxytocin is critical for partner-preference formation in female monogamous prairie voles. It says the role in males is less clear and that whether oxytocin is involved in pair bonding in other monogamous species remains to be determined. The claim extends the established finding beyond the population the review supports. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Plasma oxytocin has stability in its diurnal cycle during afternoon and evening hours.

    “Experiments were conducted in a comfortable laboratory during the mid-afternoon hours, in light of previous research suggesting stability in the diurnal cycle of plasma OT in the afternoon and evening hours (Forsling et al., 1998).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Forsling et al., 1998 source

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

    Study design and conductcitation

    Although increasing literature suggests that arginine vasopressin is involved in pair bonding along with oxytocin, the current study did not measure vasopressin.

    “Third, although increasing literature suggests that arginine vasopressin is involved in pair bonding along with OT (Donaldson et al., 2010), the current study did not measure vasopressin.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Donaldson et al., 2010 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Oxytocin was not associated with sex, body weight, height, smoking, contraceptive pill use, time since last meal, or sexual activity.

    “Pearson correlations indicated that OT was not associated with sex, body weight, height, smoking, contraceptive pills (58% of women were taking contraceptive pills), time since last meal, or sexual activity of the subject.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Oxytocin was related to specific bonding-related behaviors and to preoccupations and worries in both parents and romantic partners.

    “Finally, OT was related to specific bonding-related behaviors and to preoccupations and worries in both parents and romantic partners.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Associations were found between oxytocin levels and the couple's reciprocal interactive behavior and mental preoccupations and worries.

    “Consistent with the parental bonding literature, associations were found between OT levels and the couple’s reciprocal interactive behavior and mental preoccupations and worries.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Interactive behaviors such as affectionate touch, interpersonal focus, and matched dyadic states were central components of the reciprocity formed between romantic partners and correlated with oxytocin.

    “As seen, interactive behaviors such as affectionate touch, interpersonal focus, and matched dyadic states, which are central for the formation of parent–infant synchrony in both mothers and fathers (Feldman and Eidelman, 2007) and are associated with parental OT (Feldman et al., 2011), were central components of the reciprocity formed between romantic partners and similarly correlated with OT.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Feldman and Eidelman, 2007 source
    • cites Feldman et al., 2011 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The Coding Interactive Behavior system is a well-validated system for coding dyadic interactions with good psychometric properties.

    “The CIB has good psychometric properties and has shown sensitivity to differences related to child age, interactive partner, cultural background, and risk conditions, and has been validated in numerous studies (Feldman, 2010; Feldman and Eidelman, 2009; Feldman and Klein, 2003; Feldman et al., 2001).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Feldman, 2010

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Feldman and Eidelman, 2009 source
    • cites Feldman and Klein, 2003 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    No demographic differences were found between new lovers and singles, between new lovers who stayed together and those who separated, or between follow-up returners and non-returners.

    “No differences in demographic conditions were found between new lovers and singles, between new lovers who did or did not stay together, or between those who did or did not return for the follow-up assessment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Study design and conductown data

    Behavioral coders were trained to reliability, inter-rater reliability exceeded 85% on all codes, and coders were blind to other information.

    “Coding was conducted by coders trained to reliability and inter-rated reliability, conducted on 10% of the sample, exceeded 85% on all codes. Coders were blind to all other information.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Study design and conductcitation

    The Interactive Reciprocity construct of the Coding Interactive Behavior system has been stable over the first 13 years of life, predicts adolescent adjustment, and is sensitive to cultural background and high-risk parenting.

    “The Interactive Reciprocity construct of the CIB has been extensively used in research spanning infancy to adolescence and has shown to be stable over the first 13 years of life, to predict adjustment in adolescence, and to be sensitive to cultural background and high-risk parenting (Feldman, 2010; Feldman and Masalha, 2010; Feldman et al., 2003).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Feldman, 2010

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Feldman and Masalha, 2010 source
    • cites Feldman et al., 2003

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

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

    Study design and conductcitation

    The Experience in Close Relationships scale is a well-known measure of adult attachment.

    “subjects completed the Experience in Close Relationships scale (ECR), a well-known measure of attachment in adults (Brennan et al., 1998).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Brennan et al., 1998

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

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

    Study design and conductown data

    Interview coders were trained, inter-rater reliability exceeded 90% on all topics, and coders were blind to other information and did not conduct the interviews.

    “Interviews were audiotaped and were then coded by two trained coders, with inter-rated reliability on 10% of the sample exceeding 90% on all topics. Coders did not participate in conducting the interviews and were blind to all other hormonal, behavioral, self-report and demographic information.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Study design and conductnone given

    The biochemist who conducted the oxytocin analysis was blind to relational status, sex, and behavioral and interview data.

    “The biochemist conducting the analysis was blind to any information related to relational status (single, in relationship), sex, or behavioral and interview data.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Study design and conductown data

    The oxytocin assay had intra-assay coefficients of 5.4% for the medium-high range and 12.4% for the low range, and inter-assay coefficients of 8.7% for the medium-high range and 14.5% for the low range.

    “The intra-assay coefficients are 5.4% for the medium-high range and 12.4% for low range. The inter-assay coefficients were 8.7% for the medium–high range and 14.5%, for low range.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Plasma oxytocin values at the first and follow-up assessments were non-normal and were log-transformed before statistical analysis.

    “Plasma OT values at the first assessment, D(52) = .26, p < .05, as well as at the follow up, D(52) = .17, p < .05, were non-normal. Therefore, prior to statistical analysis OT values were log-transformed to correct for their non-Gaussian distribution.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The associations of oxytocin with reciprocity and worries parallel those described for parent-infant bonding.

    “findings which parallel those described for parent–infant bonding”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin is a nonapeptide hormone associated with affiliative bonding in mammals and mediates social behavior, pair-bonding, and parental attachment across species.

    “OT is a nonapeptide hormone associated with affiliative bonding in mammals (Insel et al., 1997) that is known to mediate social behavior, pair-bonding, and parental attachment across a variety of species (Carter, 1998).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Insel et al., 1997 source
    • cites Carter, 1998 source

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

    Premisecitation

    Peripheral oxytocin levels are associated with reciprocal parent-infant interactions in both mothers and fathers.

    “OT has also been shown to play a role in human parenting and peripheral levels of OT have been associated with reciprocal parent–infant interactions in both mothers and fathers (Feldman et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Feldman et al., 2010

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

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

    Premisecitation

    Plasma oxytocin, genetic variability in the CD38 rs3796863 SNP, and the degree of reciprocity and touch between parents and infants are associated.

    “recent findings showed associations between plasma OT, genetic variability in the CD38 rs3796863 SNP, and the degree of reciprocity and touch between parents and their infants (Feldman et al., in press), pointing to the potential involvement of OT in the development of reciprocal interactions between”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Feldman et al., in press

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

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

    Study design and conductcitation

    The oxytocin assay used a commercial ELISA kit consistent with previous research.

    “Determination of OT concentrations in plasma was performed using a commercial OT enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (Assay Design, Ann Arbor, MI) consistent with previous research (Carter et al., 2007; Feldman et al., 2007; Gordon et al., 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Carter et al., 2007 source
    • cites Feldman et al., 2007

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Gordon et al., 2008 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Because the study did not measure the same individuals before falling in love and again at the initial stages of romantic attachment, it cannot fully determine whether oxytocin levels increased in response to the onset of a romantic relationship or whether oxytocin represents a trait-like dimension and individuals with higher oxytocin are more likely to fall in love.

    “However, since we did not examine the same individuals prior to falling in love and again at the initial stages of romantic attachment, it is not possible to fully determine whether OT levels increased in response to the onset of a romantic relationship or whether OT represents a trait-like dimension of the individual and individuals with higher OT are more likely to fall in love.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

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

    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin administration increases couples' positive communication.

    “Acevedo et al. (2011) found higher activations among romantically attached individuals in regions implicated in pair-bonding in monogamous rodents, and OT administration has shown to increase couples’ positive communication (Ditzen et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Ditzen et al., 2009 source

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

    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin plays a role in human parenting.

    “OT has also been shown to play a role in human parenting and peripheral levels of OT have been associated with reciprocal parent–infant interactions in both mothers and fathers (Feldman et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Feldman et al., 2010

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

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

    Premisecitation

    The Worries factor used in this study is similar to one used in parenting research, describes a unique mental state in postpartum parents, and has been shown to correlate with parental oxytocin.

    “Consistent with perspectives suggesting that periods of parental and romantic bonding share underlying mechanisms, this factor is similar to the one used in parenting research, describes a unique mental state in parents during the postpartum period (Feldman et al., 1999; Leckman et al., 1999), and has shown to correlate with parental OT (Feldman et al., 2007).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Feldman et al., 1999 source
    • cites Leckman et al., 1999 source
    • cites Feldman et al., 2007

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

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

    Premisecitation

    Warm contact between romantic partners is associated with elevations in a subset of serum proteins.

    “Similarly, warm contact between romantic partners has been associated with elevations in a subset of serum proteins (Matsunaga et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Matsunaga et al., 2009

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

    Premisecitation

    Transmembrane glycoprotein CD38 plays a central role in oxytocin neuropathways and in the release of oxytocin from axon terminals.

    “In addition, research has pointed to the central role of transmembrane glycoprotein CD38 in OT neuropathways and in the release of OT from axon terminalis (Jin et al., 2007), and recent findings showed associations between plasma OT, genetic variability in the CD38 rs3796863 SNP, and the degree of reciprocity and touch between parents and their infants (Feldman et al., in press), pointing to the”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Jin et al., 2007 source

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

    Premisecitation

    The early stages of parenting are accompanied by heightened sensitivity to infant cues and mental preoccupations and worries, which correlate with oxytocin and are essential for the parent's bond to the infant.

    “In addition, the early stages of parenting has shown to be accompanied by heightened sensitivity to infant cues and mental preoccupations and worries, which similarly correlate with OT (Feldman et al., 2007) and are essential for the formation of the parent’s bond to the infant (Feldman et al., 1999; Leckman et al., 1999).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Feldman et al., 2007

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Feldman et al., 1999 source
    • cites Leckman et al., 1999 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Because the links between central and peripheral oxytocin are not fully understood, it is unclear whether plasma levels reflect central activity of the system, although studies in humans and animals point to coordination between central and peripheral levels.

    “Because the links between central and peripheral OT are not fully understood, it is not clear whether plasma levels reflect central activity of the system, although studies in both humans and animals point to coordination between central and peripheral levels (Burri et al., 2008; Wotjak et al., 1998).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Burri et al., 2008 source
    • cites Wotjak et al., 1998 source

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

    Premisecitation

    Previous research reported an increase in plasma oxytocin levels during sexual arousal and orgasm in both men and women.

    “Previous research reported an increase in plasma OT levels during sexual arousal and orgasm in both men and women (Carmichael et al., 1987, 1994).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Carmichael et al., 1987, 1994

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Dysfunctional romantic relationships and unreciprocated love have been associated with substantial psychological distress and suicidal behavior.

    “Dysfunctional romantic relationships and unreciprocated love have been associated with substantial psychological distress and suicidal behavior (Canetto and Lester, 2002; Emanuele, 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Canetto and Lester, 2002 source
    • cites Emanuele, 2009 source

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

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study did not measure genetic variability in the oxytocin receptor gene, the CD38 gene, or allelic variations that may impact physiological and behavioral processes at the initiation of romantic love.

    “Finally, we did not measure genetic variability in the OT receptor gene, the CD38 gene, or allelic variations that may impact physiological and behavioral processes at the initiation of romantic love.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Study design and conductnone given

    The ELISA oxytocin assay used in the study had relatively high intra- and interassay coefficients of variation.

    “In addition, the ELISA OT assay that had been conducted in the study had relatively high intra- and interassay CVs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    To the authors' knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study to investigate romantic attachment from a developmental biochemical perspective.

    “To our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study to investigate romantic attachment from a developmental biochemical perspective.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Study design and conductnone given

    Although the lovers were known to be heterosexual, this information was not collected from singles.

    “Although we know that lovers were heterosexual, we did not collect this information from singles.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Study design and conductnone given

    The results do not imply a causal relationship between the beginning of a romantic relationship and higher oxytocin values, and it is possible that individuals with high oxytocin also form romantic attachments more readily.

    “Second, it is important to note that the results do not imply a causal relationship between the beginning of a romantic relationship and higher OT values and it is possible that individuals with high OT also form romantic attachments more readily.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

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

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The study did not measure oxytocin at the neurochemical brain level.

    “First, due to obvious constraints in human research, we did not measure OT at the neurochemical brain level.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
40 of 40

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    No prior study had examined peripheral oxytocin levels across the initial period of romantic love.

    “However, we are aware of no study that examined peripheral levels of OT across the initial period of romantic love.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Touch is a central and dyadic component of romantic relationships.

    “based on the assumption that touch is a central and dyadic component of romantic relationships, whereas in the parent–child relationship it is a central but parental component of the exchange.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In adult-adult interaction, interpersonal focus is the age-matched parallel to the infant gaze-synchrony code.

    “Similarly, in adult–adult interaction “interpersonal focus” was considered the age-matched parallel to the code of “gaze synchrony” in infancy.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Little research has examined circulating oxytocin levels during the initial period of falling in love.

    “little research examined circulating OT levels during the initial period of falling in love”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Significantly less is known about romantic attachment as a form of social affiliation in adult life.

    “Significantly less is known about one of the most important forms of social affiliation in adult life – romantic attachment”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Romantic relationships have a profound effect on adult life.

    “romantic relationships have a profound effect on adult life”
6 of 6

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?

  • Basal concentrations of OXT in blood are increased in couples during the early stages of romantic love and stay significantly elevated in couples remaining together 6 months later.

    “While, compared with singles, basal concentrations of OXT in blood are increased in couples during the early stages of romantic love and stay significantly elevated in couples remaining together 6 months later (Schneiderman et al., 2012), our results suggest that further augmentation of endogenous OXT release is necessary to produce fidelity-enhancing effects.”

    From Oxytocin Modulates Social Distance between Males and Females (2012) · cites this paper as Schneiderman et al., 2012

  • Plasma oxytocin levels are higher in new lovers than in unattached singles.

    “and consequently, OXT levels are higher in new lovers than in unattached singles (24).”

    From Oxytocin enhances brain reward system responses in men viewing the face of their female partner (2013) · cites this paper as [24]

  • Both forms of human attachment are characterized by behavioral synchrony.

    “Animal24 and human studies25 indicate that similar neural systems and behavioral patterns underpin the parent-infant and pair bonds and demonstrate that both forms of human attachment are characterized by behavioral synchrony26–28.”

    From Brain-to-Brain Synchrony during Naturalistic Social Interactions (2017) · cites this paper as [28]

  • The 'fun day' paradigm has been previously validated at the authors' lab.

    “The paradigm involves planning a fun day to spend together and has been previously validated at our lab28,61.”

    From Brain-to-Brain Synchrony during Naturalistic Social Interactions (2017) · cites this paper as [28]

  • During naturalistic interactions, romantic partners exhibit online coordination of gaze and affect patterns and an increase in oxytocin levels that correlates with the degree of social synchrony.

    “During naturalistic interactions, romantic partners exhibit online coordination of gaze and affect patterns9 and an increase in oxytocin levels that correlates with the degree of social synchrony28.”

    From Brain-to-Brain Synchrony during Naturalistic Social Interactions (2017) · cites this paper as [28]

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.

  • ConsistentF(1, 152) = 109.33reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “F(1, 152) = 109.33, p < .001”

  • Consistentt(43) = 0.91reported p = .37 · recomputed p = .368

    “t(43) = .91, p = .37”

  • ConsistentF(1, 97) = 4.67reported p < .05 · recomputed p = .033

    “F(1, 97) = 4.67, p < .05”

  • Consistentχ²(1) = 4.64reported p < .05 · recomputed p = .031

    “χ2(1) = 4.64, p < .05”

4 of 4

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

8 of the 76 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Schneiderman, I., Zagoory-Sharon, O., Leckman, J. F., & Feldman, R.
Affiliations
  • Bar-Ilan University (IL)
  • Yale University (US)
Corresponding author
Feldman, Ruth
ORCID
Venue
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-08
Volume
37
Issue
8
Pages
1277-1285
ISSN
0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.12.021
PMC
PMC3936960
OpenAlex
W2121692487
Cited by
317
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 6
FWCI
28.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (submittedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • US-Israel Bi-National Foundation
  • NARSAD
  • Israel Science Foundation
  • Katz Family Fund
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
Keywords
oxytocin, romantic attachment, plasma oxytocin, couple interaction, pair bonding, relationship stability, breakup, affectionate touch
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Behavior, Courtship, Emotions, Family Characteristics, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations

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.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-08.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-08.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

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 ›

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