Dyadic coping and its underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms - Implications for stress regulation

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Anna Lena Zietlow - , University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Monika Eckstein - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Cristóbal Hernández - , Heidelberg University , Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Author)
  • Nora Nonnenmacher - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Corinna Reck - , Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Author)
  • Marcel Schaer - , Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) (Author)
  • Guy Bodenmann - , University of Zurich (Author)
  • Markus Heinrichs - , University of Freiburg (Author)
  • Beate Ditzen - , Heidelberg University  (Author)

Abstract

Previous research suggests that neuroendocrine mechanisms underlie inter-individual stress coping in couples. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT), while regulating stress-sensitive HPA-axis activity might be crucial in this process. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of dyadic coping abilities and OT on HPA-axis outcomes and constructive behavior during couple conflict. We conducted a secondary analysis of our previous database (Ditzen et al., 2009), assessing the modulating role of dyadic coping and intranasal OT on couple conflict behavior. The data revealed a significant interaction effect of the dyadic coping by oneself score and OT on cortisol responses during couple conflict, suggesting that particularly individuals with low a priori dyadic coping benefit from OT in terms of dampened HPA-activity. The results are in line with previous research suggesting OT's central role for stress regulation and prosocial behavior. Furthermore, an interaction with dyadic coping indicates adaptations in the sensitivity of the OT system during the individual attachment and relationship history. These data add to the evidence that the neuroendocrine attachment systems influence couple behavior. Future studies of neurobiological mechanisms underlying dyadic coping will be of high relevance for the development of prevention and intervention programs.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2600
JournalFrontiers in psychology
Volume9
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jan 2019
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-7278-5711/work/142233594

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Cortisol, Couple conflict, Dyadic coping, HPA-axis, Oxytocin, Relationship satisfaction

Library keywords