Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Center of Research on Psychological and Somatic disorders, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands; Mentaal Beter, Breda, The Netherlands.
J Affect Disord. 2021 Jan 1;278:149-156. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.057. Epub 2020 Sep 15.
This study examined whether intranasal oxytocin enhances the stress-buffering effects of social support during experimentally induced pain, taking into account the role of individual differences in attachment security.
Female participants (N = 193) were randomly assigned to oxytocin (24 IU intranasal) or placebo and to receive support or no support from a friend (2 × 2 factorial design with repeated measures)). Participants underwent the Cold Pressor Task (CPT) and were monitored for heart rate variability (HRV: RMSSD) and heart rate and reported pain levels. The Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire was used to measure attachment.
Oxytocin reduced RMSSD (p = 0.003, partial ɳ = 0.03) and increased heart rate (p = 0.039, partial ɳ = 0.03) in individuals who received support, possibly reflecting an enhanced attentional state. Oxytocin did not enhance beneficial effects of social support on perceived pain, but increased pain intensity in avoidantly attached individuals who were supported by a friend (p = 0.009, partial ɳ = 0.06).
Only female participants were examined. Future studies are needed to determine sex differences in how oxytocin shapes stress-buffering effects of support.
Oxytocin may enhance the salience of social proximity and may be a mechanism underlying previously reported social influences on cardiovascular and mental health. However, oxytocin effects depend on interpersonal insecurities and may trigger discomfort in avoidantly attached individuals. Caution about oxytocin's therapeutic promise is warranted.
本研究考察了鼻内催产素是否会增强社会支持在实验性疼痛期间的压力缓冲效应，同时考虑到依恋安全性的个体差异的作用。
女性参与者（N=193）被随机分配接受鼻内催产素（24IU）或安慰剂，并接受朋友的支持或不支持（2×2 析因设计，重复测量）。参与者进行冷加压任务（CPT），监测心率变异性（RMSSD）和心率，并报告疼痛水平。使用亲密关系体验问卷测量依恋。
催产素降低了接受支持的个体的 RMSSD（p=0.003，部分ɳ=0.03）和心率（p=0.039，部分ɳ=0.03），可能反映了注意力状态的增强。催产素并没有增强社会支持对感知疼痛的有益影响，但增加了被朋友支持的回避型依恋个体的疼痛强度（p=0.009，部分ɳ=0.06）。
仅检查了女性参与者。未来的研究需要确定催产素如何影响支持的压力缓冲效应的性别差异。
催产素可能增强社交接近的显著性，可能是先前报道的社会对心血管和心理健康影响的机制。然而，催产素的作用取决于人际不安，可能会引发回避型依恋个体的不适。对催产素治疗前景的谨慎是必要的。
