Effects of oxytocin on cortisol reactivity and conflict resolution behaviors among couples with substance misuse

• Published in: Psychiatry research 2018-02, Vol.260, p.346-352
• Main Authors: Flanagan, Julianne C., Fischer, Melanie S., Nietert, Paul J., Back, Sudie E., Maria, Megan Moran-Santa, Snead, Alexandra, Brady, Kathleen T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Intranasal; Adult; Cortisol; Couples; Couples Therapy - methods; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gender; Humans; Hydrocortisone - blood; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - drug effects; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - metabolism; Male; Negotiating - methods; Negotiating - psychology; Oxytocin; Oxytocin - pharmacology; Oxytocin - therapeutic use; Pituitary-Adrenal System - drug effects; Pituitary-Adrenal System - metabolism; Sex; Stress, Psychological - blood; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Stress, Psychological - therapy; Substance use; Substance-Related Disorders - blood; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Substance-Related Disorders - therapy; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0165-1781; 1872-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.12.003

Social stress, particularly in the form of dyadic conflict, is a well-established correlate of substance use disorders (SUD). The neuropeptide oxytocin can enhance prosocial behavior and mitigate addictive behaviors. These effects may be, in part, a result of oxytocin's ability to attenuate hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation. However, only one study to date has examined the effects of oxytocin on neuroendocrine reactivity or conflict resolution behavior among couples. Participants (N = 33 couples or 66 total participants) were heterosexual couples in which one or both partners endorsed substance misuse. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures design and an evidence-based behavioral coding system, we compared the impact of oxytocin (40 IU) vs. placebo on cortisol reactivity and conflict resolution behaviors. Among women, oxytocin attenuated cortisol response following the task. Oxytocin was also associated with increased Distress Maintaining Attributions and decreased Relationship Enhancing Attributions. Among men, oxytocin was associated with decreased Distress Maintaining Attributions, and both oxytocin and placebo yielded declines in Relationship Enhancing Attributions. The findings support emerging hypotheses that oxytocin may have differential effects in men and women, and indicate the need for future efforts to translate oxytocin's positive neurobiological effects into therapeutic behavioral changes. •We examined oxytocin's effects on cortisol reactivity and dyadic conflict behaviors.•These associations were measured among substance-misusing couples.•Oxytocin (OT) attenuated women's cortisol reactivity during dyadic conflict.•OT had different effects on men's and women's conflict behaviors.•Research translating OT's neurobiological effects into behavioral changes is needed.