Publication type: Article in scientific journal
Type of review: Peer review (publication)
Title: Intranasal oxytocin increases positive communication and reduces cortisol levels during couple conflict
Authors: Ditzen, Beate
Schär Gmelch, Marcel
Gabriel, Barbara
Bodenmann, Guy
Ehlert, Ulrike
Heinrichs, Markus
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.10.011
Published in: Biological Psychiatry
Volume(Issue): 65
Issue: 9
Page(s): 728
Pages to: 731
Issue Date: May-2009
Publisher / Ed. Institution: Elsevier
ISSN: 0006-3223
1873-2402
Language: English
Subjects: Couple conflict; Intranasal oxytocin; Salivary cortisol; Social interaction; Stress
Subject (DDC): 158: Applied psychology
302: Social interaction
610: Medicine and health
Abstract: Background: In nonhuman mammals, the neuropeptide oxytocin has repeatedly been shown to increase social approach behavior and pair bonding. In particular, central nervous oxytocin reduces behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to social stress and is suggested to mediate the rewarding aspects of attachment in highly social species. However, to date there have been no studies investigating the effects of central oxytocin mechanisms on behavior and physiology in human couple interaction. Methods: In a double-blind placebo-controlled design, 47 heterosexual couples (total n = 94) received oxytocin or placebo intranasally before a standard instructed couple conflict discussion in the laboratory. The conflict session was videotaped and coded for verbal and nonverbal interaction behavior (e.g., eye contact, nonverbal positive behavior, and self-disclosure). Salivary cortisol was repeatedly measured during the experiment. Results: Oxytocin significantly increased positive communication behavior in relation to negative behavior during the couple conflict discussion (F = 4.18, p = .047) and significantly reduced salivary cortisol levels after the conflict compared with placebo (F = 7.14, p = .011). Conclusions: These results are in line with animal studies indicating that central oxytocin facilitates approach and pair bonding behavior. Our findings imply an involvement of oxytocin in couple interaction and close relationships in humans.
URI: https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/5268
Fulltext version: Published version
License (according to publishing contract): Licence according to publishing contract
Departement: Applied Psychology
Organisational Unit: Institute of Applied Psychology (IAP)
Appears in collections:Publikationen Angewandte Psychologie

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Ditzen, B., Schär Gmelch, M., Gabriel, B., Bodenmann, G., Ehlert, U., & Heinrichs, M. (2009). Intranasal oxytocin increases positive communication and reduces cortisol levels during couple conflict. Biological Psychiatry, 65(9), 728–731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.10.011
Ditzen, B. et al. (2009) ‘Intranasal oxytocin increases positive communication and reduces cortisol levels during couple conflict’, Biological Psychiatry, 65(9), pp. 728–731. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.10.011.
B. Ditzen, M. Schär Gmelch, B. Gabriel, G. Bodenmann, U. Ehlert, and M. Heinrichs, “Intranasal oxytocin increases positive communication and reduces cortisol levels during couple conflict,” Biological Psychiatry, vol. 65, no. 9, pp. 728–731, May 2009, doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.10.011.
DITZEN, Beate, Marcel SCHÄR GMELCH, Barbara GABRIEL, Guy BODENMANN, Ulrike EHLERT und Markus HEINRICHS, 2009. Intranasal oxytocin increases positive communication and reduces cortisol levels during couple conflict. Biological Psychiatry. Mai 2009. Bd. 65, Nr. 9, S. 728–731. DOI 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.10.011
Ditzen, Beate, Marcel Schär Gmelch, Barbara Gabriel, Guy Bodenmann, Ulrike Ehlert, and Markus Heinrichs. 2009. “Intranasal Oxytocin Increases Positive Communication and Reduces Cortisol Levels during Couple Conflict.” Biological Psychiatry 65 (9): 728–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.10.011.
Ditzen, Beate, et al. “Intranasal Oxytocin Increases Positive Communication and Reduces Cortisol Levels during Couple Conflict.” Biological Psychiatry, vol. 65, no. 9, May 2009, pp. 728–31, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.10.011.


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