Adult attachment style and cortisol responses in women in late pregnancy

Recent research has documented the association between attachment and cortisol rhythms. During pregnancy, when attachment patterns are likely to be activated, elevated levels of cortisol are associated with negative effects for the mother and the foetus. The aim of the present study was to examine t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC Psychology 2016-01, Vol.4 (1), p.1-1, Article 1
Main Authors: Costa-Martins, José Manuel, Moura-Ramos, Mariana, Cascais, Maria João, da Silva, Carlos Fernandes, Costa-Martins, Henriqueta, Pereira, Marco, Coelho, Rui, Tavares, Jorge
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anabolic steroids
Circadian Rhythm - physiology
Corticosteroids
Fear
Female
Health aspects
Humans
Hydrocortisone - analysis
Hydrocortisone - metabolism
Middle Aged
Object Attachment
Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiology
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Third - physiology
Pregnant women
Saliva - chemistry
Young Adult
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Summary:Recent research has documented the association between attachment and cortisol rhythms. During pregnancy, when attachment patterns are likely to be activated, elevated levels of cortisol are associated with negative effects for the mother and the foetus. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of adult attachment style and cortisol rhythms in pregnant women. Eighty women in the third trimester of pregnancy participated in the study. Adult attachment was assessed using the Adult Attachment Scale - Revised (AAS-R). Participants collected 4 samples of salivary cortisol at two different days; 3 samples were collected in the morning immediately after wakeup and one sample was collected by bedtime. Results found group significant differences in the cortisol diurnal oscillation (F (1,71) =26.46, p < .001,), with secure women reporting a steep decrease in cortisol from awakening to bedtime, while women with fearful avoidant attachment reported no changes. No group differences were found regarding the cortisol awakening response. These results highlight the importance of considering attachment patterns during pregnancy, suggesting fearful avoidant attachment style as a possible risk factor for emotional difficulties and dysregulation of the neuroendocrine rhythms.
ISSN:2050-7283
2050-7283
DOI:10.1186/s40359-016-0105-8