Effects of couple interactions and relationship quality on plasma oxytocin and cardiovascular reactivity: Empirical findings and methodological considerations

Cardiovascular reactivity is a potential mechanism underlying associations of close relationship quality with cardiovascular disease. Two models describe oxytocin as another mechanism. The “calm and connect” model posits an association between positive relationship experiences and oxytocin levels an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of psychophysiology 2013-06, Vol.88 (3), p.271-281
Main Authors: Smith, Timothy W., Uchino, Bert N., MacKenzie, Justin, Hicks, Angela M., Campo, Rebecca A., Reblin, Maija, Grewen, Karen M., Amico, Janet A., Light, Kathleen C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular reactivity
Couple interaction
Emotions - physiology
Empirical Research
Family Characteristics
Female
Heart Rate - physiology
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Oxytocin
Oxytocin - blood
Relationship quality
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Summary:Cardiovascular reactivity is a potential mechanism underlying associations of close relationship quality with cardiovascular disease. Two models describe oxytocin as another mechanism. The “calm and connect” model posits an association between positive relationship experiences and oxytocin levels and responses, whereas the “tend and befriend” model emphasizes the effects of negative relationship experiences in evoking oxytocin release. In this study of 180 younger couples, relationship quality had a small, marginally significant inverse association with plasma oxytocin levels, and neither positive nor negative couple interactions evoked change in plasma oxytocin. Negative couple interactions evoked significant cardiovascular reactivity, especially among women. Hence, in the largest study of these issues to date, there was little support for key tenets of the “calm and connect” model, and only very modest support for the ”tend and befriend” model. However, findings were consistent with the view that CVR contributes to the effects of relationship difficulties on health. ► Marital strain increases risk for cardiovascular disease. ► Cardiovascular reactivity and oxytocin have been suggested as underlying mechanisms. ► Plasma oxytocin was unrelated to relationship quality in 180 young married couples. ► Experimental manipulation of marital interaction tone did not alter plasma oxytocin. ► Negative marital interactions evoked heightened cardiovascular reactivity.
ISSN:0167-8760
1872-7697
DOI:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2012.04.006