Endogenous estradiol levels are associated with attachment avoidance and implicit intimacy motivation.
Abstract
Estradiol has been linked with attachment and caregiving processes in humans and other mammals; however, relations between estradiol and personality constructs relevant to intimate relationships have not yet been explored. In the present sample of 100 adult participants (52 men, 48 women), we examined endogenous estradiol levels in relation to two personality constructs that predict comfort with and desire for close, intimate relationships-attachment style and implicit intimacy motivation. In both men and women, estradiol levels were predicted by an interaction between a dimension of attachment style-attachment avoidance-and implicit intimacy motivation. Specifically, the highest estradiol levels were observed among participants whose explicit traits support the expression of their implicit motives, that is, those characterized by both low avoidance and high intimacy motivation. Our findings provide novel evidence that endogenous estradiol levels are associated with relationship-relevant personality constructs in theoretically meaningful ways. These findings also highlight the importance of considering interactions between implicit and explicit personality constructs in the study of the biological bases of personality.
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In humans, estradiol has been positively linked with emotional closeness in both men and women.
“in humans, estradiol has been positively linked with emotional closeness in both men and women (Edelstein et al., 2012; Edelstein et al., 2010)”
From Prospective and dyadic associations between expectant parents’ prenatal hormone changes and postpartum parenting outcomes (2017) · cites this paper as Edelstein et al., 2010
Cites
La Guardia, J. G., Ryan, R. M., Couchman, C. E., & Deci, E. L. (2000) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.79.3.367 · Cited by 1,571 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Attachment orientations tend to be relatively stable over time (e.g., Fraley, 2002; Kirkpatrick and Hazan, 1994), although, like many personality traits, they can also show some variability across situations (La Guardia et al., 2000).”
Neuroendocrine perspectives on social attachment and love
Sue Carter, C. (1998) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/s0306-4530(98)00055-9 · Cited by 1,425 · see citing works
Hormonal correlates of paternal responsiveness in new and expectant fathers
Storey, A. (2000) · Evolution and Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/s1090-5138(99)00042-2 · Cited by 536 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Estradiol rises during pregnancy, peaks around parturition, and then declines following birth (e.g., Storey et al., 2000).”
InfluentialHolt-Lunstad, J., Birmingham, W. A., & Light, K. C. (2008) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e318187aef7 · Cited by 473 · see citing works
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Edelstein, R. S., Chopik, W. J., Saxbe, D. E., Wardecker, B. M., Moors, A. C., & LaBelle, O. P. (2017) · Developmental Psychobiology · doi:10.1002/dev.21469 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
“Similarly, in humans, estradiol has been positively linked with emotional closeness in both men and women (Edelstein et al., 2012; Edelstein et al., 2010), but also (in women) with dominance and sexual motivation (Roney & Simmons, 2013; Stanton & Edelstein, 2009).”
Self-citationStanton, S. J., & Edelstein, R. S. (2009) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2009.08.002 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Self-citationMondragón-Ceballos, R., García Granados, M. D., Cerda-Molina, A. L., Chavira-Ramírez, R., & Hernández-López, L. E. (2015) · International Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1155/2015/654046 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“High estradiol concentrations are associated with low levels of attachment avoidance and high levels of intimacy motivation, two personality traits involved in looking for and maintaining emotional intimacy [28].”
Background
- Authors
- Edelstein, R. S., Stanton, S. J., Henderson, M. M., & Sanders, M. R.
- Affiliations
- University of Michigan (US)
- Duke University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Edelstein, Robin S.
- Venue
- Hormones and Behavior
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-02
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 230-236
- ISSN
- 0018-506X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2166731149
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Hormones and Behavior (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Michigan
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Keywords
- estradiol, attachment avoidance, attachment styles, implicit motives, intimate relationships, sex differences
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Estradiol, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Motivation, Psychological Tests, Saliva
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