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Cited by 35Neuroendocrine regulation and behaviorAging and Gerontology ResearchNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Oxytocin release increases with age and is associated with life satisfaction and prosocial behaviors

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Zak, Paul J., Curry, Ben, Owen, Tyler, Barraza, Jorge A.·2022·Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
DOI 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.846234PMC PMC9069134
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Abstract

Helping behaviors and life satisfaction generally increase after middle-age. Identifying the neural substrates of prosocial behaviors in older adults may offer additional insights into these changes over the lifespan. The present study examines the endogenous release of the neuromodulator oxytocin (OT) in participants aged 18–99 and its relationship to prosocial behaviors. OT has been shown to influence trust, altruism, charity, and generosity, yet the effect of age on OT release has not been well-established. Blood samples before and after a video stimulus were obtained from 103 participants in order to examine the impact of OT on prosocial behaviors. We found that OT release following a social prime increased with age (r = 0.49, p = 0.001) and that OT moderated the relationship between age and donations to charity. We tested for robustness by examining three additional prosocial behaviors, money and goods donated to charity during the past year and social-sector volunteering. OT moderated the impact of age on all three prosocial behaviors (ps < 0.05). The analysis also showed that participants’ change in OT was positively associated with satisfaction with life (p = 0.04), empathic concern (p = 0.015), dispositional gratitude (p = 0.019), and religious commitment (p = 0.001). Our findings indicate that the neural chemistry that helps sustain social relationships and live a fulfilled life appear to strengthen with age.

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  • In a convenience sample of adults aged 18 to 99, oxytocin release correlated with prosocial behaviors (donations to charity, volunteering).

    “In a convenience sample of adults ranging from 18 to 99, Zak et al. (2022) found correlations of oxytocin release with prosocial behaviors (donations to charity, volunteering).”

    From The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development (2023) · cites this paper as Zak et al. (2022)

  • Oxytocin release increased with age and moderated the impact of age on prosocial behaviors.

    “Oxytocin release increased with age and moderated the impact of age on prosocial behaviors.”

    From The evolved nest, oxytocin functioning, and prosocial development (2023) · cites this paper as Zak et al. (2022)

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Authors
Zak, P. J., Curry, B., Owen, T., & Barraza, J. A.
Affiliations
  • Claremont Graduate University (US)
  • University of Southern California (US)
Corresponding author
Zak, Paul J.
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2022-04-21
Volume
16
Pages
846234-846234
ISSN
1662-5153 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fnbeh.2022.846234
PMC
PMC9069134
OpenAlex
W4224228738
Cited by
35
References
127
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5
FWCI
6.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Institute on Aging
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
oxytocin, aging, prosocial behavior, life satisfaction, helping behavior, charitable giving, social volunteering, empathic concern, dispositional gratitude, religious commitment, social priming, altruism, lifespan development

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