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Cited by 7Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorAttachment and Relationship DynamicsGrief, Bereavement, and Mental Health

The long-term associations of childhood parental loss with attachment, creativity, and epigenetic regulation

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Dvilansky, Adi Shapira, Zadok, Hodaya, Shoshani, Anat, Samra, Nadra Nasser, Verbeke, Willem, Vrticka, Pascal, Ein-Dor, Tsachi·2025·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-89467-2PMC PMC11808068
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Abstract

The loss of a parent during childhood is a profound event with enduring impacts on psychological and emotional development. This study investigates the long-term effects of childhood parental loss on attachment patterns and openness to experience, with a focus on the epigenetic modulation of the oxytocin and dopamine systems. The sample included 371 participants (51.2% women, ages 26-43), of whom 33 experienced parental loss during childhood. In those individuals who lost a parent, findings revealed comparably lower attachment avoidance and a DNA methylation profile associated with a potential for increased oxytocin activity. Additionally, a DNA methylation profile associated with a potential for heightened dopamine activity was identified in this group, aligning with greater creativity. These findings highlight the intricate interplay of genetic and environmental factors in fostering resilience and personal growth, shedding light on the roles of oxytocin and dopamine in social bonding and the potential for long-term adaptation following early-life trauma.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Dvilansky, A. S., Zadok, H., Shoshani, A., Samra, N. N., Verbeke, W., Vrticka, P., & Ein-Dor, T.
Affiliations
  • Reichman University (IL)
  • Bar-Ilan University (IL)
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam (NL)
ORCID
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2025-02-10
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pages
4859-4859
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41598-025-89467-2
PMC
PMC11808068
OpenAlex
W4407287199
Cited by
7
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 2
FWCI
7.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Open Access at Essex (University of Essex) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
Keywords
attachment avoidance, openness to experience, creativity, DNA methylation, oxytocin, dopamine, epigenetic regulation, early trauma, resilience, social bonding
MeSH terms
Adult, Child, Creativity, Dopamine, Female, Humans, Male, Object Attachment, Oxytocin, Parents, DNA Methylation, Epigenesis, Genetic

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