A new study suggests that people who saw their parents divorce when they were children were found to have lower levels of oxytocin, also known as the "love hormone."
The research, led by Baylor University in Waco, Texas, suggests a link between oxytocin, early experiences, and its effects in adulthood. Their study is published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology.
Early Experiences Leading To Adult Behavior
Oxytocin is a hormone secreted from the pituitary gland's posterior lobe. It is often released by the brain during social bonding experiences - delivering a child, sexual activities, or even hugging. This behavior leads to informal nicknames to the hormone, such as the "love hormone."
The study suggests that compared to children whose parents remained married, those who saw their parents split have lower levels of the love hormone. This condition might be related to these individual's difficulties in forming attachments and lasting relationships in their adulthood.
"Since the rates of divorce in our society began to increase, there has been concern about the effects of divorce on the children," explained Maria Boccia, Ph.D., professor of child and family studies at the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences at Baylor University and the lead author of the study.
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She added that most of the prior studies focused only on short-term effects such as a child's academic performance, or longer-term outcomes like adult relations. However, how these adverse effects are caused remains a question not yet addressed.
"Oxytocin is a neurohormone that is important in regulating these behaviors and is also sensitive to the impact of stressful life events in early life," Boccia added, explaining that this will pave the way to understand what mechanisms are involved in these processes.
The Baylor University-led team also cited previous studies regarding children from divorced parents, finding associations with substance abuse and mood disorders. These behaviors are also associated with oxytocin levels, according to Boccia. In relation to previous animal studies, one possible mechanism that contributes to negative effects found in early parental separation is the suppression of oxytocin activity in the brain.
Observing Oxytocin Levels
For the study, researchers invited 128 participants, aged 18 to 62, between two higher learning institutions located in the Southeast United States. After profiling, 27.3 percent of the participants were found to have divorced parents. The average age among the participants who saw their parents' divorce was nine years old.
At the study site, participants were first asked to empty their bladders before being provided 16 ounces of water to drink before answering a questionnaire. The questions covered details about their experiences, their parents and peers during their childhood, and their social functioning in the present.
It also covered parenting styles—affection, protection, indifference, control, abuse, as observed by the participants. As for their adult functioning, the questionnaires probed on their perceived confidence, discomfort with proximity with other people, and need for approval.
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After the questionnaire, urine samples were collected, and their respective oxytocin concentrations were analyzed. The researchers found that the "love hormone" levels were substantially lower in participants who experienced parental divorce in their youth. Also, reviewing the questionnaires revealed that the same individuals saw their parents as being more indifferent and less caring.
